The southern part of India is again facing the deadly consequences of Covid-19. To make the situation worse a new variant of COVID has been found which is dangerous and takes the lives of many people. According to the reports, this new variant of COVID-19 is named as JN.1 and it is more infectious in contrast to previous variants. This JN.1 variant was detected for the first time on 8th December 2023 in Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram. Moreover, as per the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it was first identified in the US in September 2023. Scroll down to know more.
In the report of CDC, it is a descendant of the BA. 2.86 variant (an Omicron sub-variant). Before talking about this variant, let’s find out the current situation in the Southern part and how many people have lost their lives. As per the COVID status shared by MOHFW, by Wednesday morning, 20th December 2023, 79 cases have been reported. It is worth noting that the Karnataka Covid-19 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) issued an advisory related to the rules that are implemented in the wake of the new variant of COVID-19. As per the advisory, people above 60+ particularly those with comorbidities (especially with liver, kidney, ailments, heart etc.), pregnant women, and lactating mothers, to wear masks and strictly avoid social gathering and crowded areas.
The report states in the last 24 hours, Kerala has reported 292 fresh Covid-19 infections and 3 deaths beacuse of the deadly disease. In the meantime, SRTC had made arrangements to run 1,000 extra buses for Christmas. Now speaking about the new variant, The World Health Organisation has classified this new variant as a “variant of interest”. Though, WHO has also mentioned that the global public health risk posed by JN.1 is low. Now, after watching the sudden rises in the cases of new variants, it is getting important to know the signs and symptoms of it and if anyone is facing these symptoms need to report to the hospital for their safety.
Some of the symptoms of JN.1 variant are:
Exhaustion and weakness in muscle
Fever
Headaches
Runny Nose
Minor gastrointestinal problems in some cases
Sore Throat
Extreme fatigue
In further addition to this, the doctors have reported that most patients are facing other health problems such as mild upper respiratory symptoms. All these symptoms will improve within 4 to 5 days. However, in some cases, JN.1 Strain also shows the symptoms of low appetite and persistent nausea. To ensure the safety of the people, state governments have received advice from the federal government asking them to make sure that sufficient health arrangements are in place. At present, infected people are facing mild symptoms that can be tackled and treated with medical assistance and home isolation.
As per MOHFW data, 77 cases have been reported in Tamil Nadu, 35 cases in Maharashtra, 23 cases in Goa, 20 cases in Puducherry, 12 cases in Gujarat and 4 cases in Delhi are among other states where the cases of COVID have been reported. However, only Karnataka and Kerala have reported deaths from COVID in the last 48 hours.