Covid-19’s new subvariant, no need to worry: Kerala Health Minster

The Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1, which has been found in the state, is not a reason for alarm, according to Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Sunday. A senior official from the Indian Council of Medical Research stated on Saturday that the new case was found as a result of the regular surveillance activities that the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is currently conducting. George informed the media that this new variation was discovered in Indian travelers who were subjected to screening at Singapore Airport several months prior.

This variation was found in a few Indian passengers at the Singapore Airport several months ago. Just that Kerala’s genome sequencing allowed them to identify this variant. You don’t need to be concerned. We are keeping a careful eye on the situation,” she stated. But the minister urged everyone to exercise caution, especially those who have co-occurring conditions.

She said there was no need to worry because Kerala has a strong health system and that the new variant is also present in other parts of the country. RT-PCR positive sample from Karakulam in Thiruvananthapuram district revealed the case on December 8, according to Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR. November 18 was the date of the sample’s positive RT-PCR test, he continued. After experiencing mild Influenza Like Illness (ILI) symptoms, the 79-year-old woman recovered from COVID-19.