A new sub-variant of Covid-19 JN.1 has come to light in Kerala. This subvariant emerged in a 79-year-old woman. A study conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium revealed that the elderly woman was infected with a new sub-variant. The RT-PCR test conducted on November 19 revealed that she was infected with Covid. It was found on the 8th of this month that JN.1 subvariant was present in that sample. This sub-variant was first seen in America in November this year,” said the sources.
79-year-old woman’s sample returned positive in RT-PCR test, sources said, adding she had mild symptoms of influenza-like illnesses and had recovered from COVID-19
JN.1 variant of COVID is considered to be the Omicron subvariant BA.2.86 or Pirola, which has been spreading in several countries. JN.1 variant was first detected in the United States in September 2023. The new Covid sub-variant JN.1 identified in Kerala state has raised the concerns.
Although JN1 cases are increasing in many countries including China, this subtype can be protected with vaccines and treatments.