A total of 1,378 cases of COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been recorded in India, with Maharashtra and Karnataka having the highest number of cases. Manipur is the latest state to detect the variant. The Indian government has urged states to maintain vigilance and comply with surveillance guidelines. The World Health Organisation classifies JN.1 as a "variant of interest" with low global public health risk.
India reported 441 fresh COVID-19 infections, bringing the active cases to 3,238. No deaths reported in 24 hours. The rise in cases since December 5 linked to cold weather and emergence of new COVID-19 variant, JN.1. Highest single-day rise of 841 cases reported on December 31, 2023.
Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed Karnataka has reported the highest number of cases at 214, followed by Maharashtra (170), Kerala (154), Andhra Pradesh (105), Gujarat (76) and Goa (66)
Despite the declining numbers, the emergence of the new JN.1 sub-variant, a descendent of the Omicron subvariant known as BA.2.86 or Pirola, has raised concerns. Kerala was the first state to report a case of this new variant.