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Last Updated:May 20, 2025, 08:29 IST
India sees a mild rise in Covid-19 cases as global concerns grow over the JN.1 variant.
The expert meeting concluded that the current COVID-19 situation in India remains under control. (Photo: PTI file)
India is witnessing a mild uptick in Covid-19 cases, with 257 active cases reported across the country as of May 19, according to the Union Health Ministry. In response, health authorities have stepped up surveillance measures, particularly in light of the recent rise in infections in other parts of Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong.
This marks the highest number of active Covid-19 cases India has seen in the past year, with most cases reported from Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.
What’s Driving the Global Spike?
In countries like Singapore and Hong Kong, the surge is being attributed to the LF.7 and NB.1.8 subvariants—both offshoots of the broader JN.1 variant of the coronavirus. While India has not officially confirmed the spread of JN.1, health authorities are keeping a close watch.
What Is the JN.1 Variant?
The JN.1 variant is a descendant of the Omicron BA.2.86 lineage and was first identified in August 2023. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it carries nearly 30 mutations that help it evade the immune system—more than any other variant circulating at that time.
Although its parent variant, BA.2.86, did not become dominant, JN.1 has acquired additional mutations that allow it to transmit more efficiently. Yale Medicine notes that one particular mutation in JN.1’s spike protein may enhance its ability to evade immune responses.
Symptoms of the JN.1 Variant
The symptoms of JN.1 are largely similar to previous Covid-19 strains, including:
Dry cough
Headache
Sore throat
Runny or blocked nose
Loss of taste or smell
Fever
Fatigue or exhaustion
Some cases have also reported an increase in gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, which may be more prominent with this variant.
India’s Covid-19 Situation Under Control, Say Authorities
Despite the slight rise, the overall Covid-19 situation in India remains under control, officials said following a high-level review meeting on Monday. The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Health Services and attended by experts from the National Centre for Disease Control, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Disaster Management Cell, Emergency Medical Relief division, and central government hospitals.
“Almost all of the current cases are mild and do not require hospitalisation,” an official source told PTI. “Given the scale of India’s population, 257 active cases is a very low number and not a cause for immediate concern.”
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and urge citizens to stay informed and follow basic health precautions as needed.
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