BENGALURU: Karnataka has reported 34 JN.1 (sub-variant of Omicron) cases. This includes 20 from Bengaluru city, four Mysuru, three Mandya, and one each from Ramanagara, Bengaluru Rural, Kodagu, and Chamarajanagar. Besides, three of the Covid-19 patients who had died earlier — two in Bengaluru and one in Chamarajanagar — had been infected by JN.1.
A total of 192 samples have been sent for genomic sequencing.“The results of 60 samples are available as on date, and the rest should be available by Wednesday,” D Randeep, health commissioner, told TOI.
The samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru.
The state’s cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee is holding a meeting Tuesday to look into various recommendations made by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on handling the emerging situation. However, experts see no reason to panic.
“JN.1 is less virulent but more infectious than the previous Covid variants because it has extra mutations in the spike protein. However, there is nothing to panic,” said Dr V Ravi, retired professor of virology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans).
“This is the season when climatic conditions favour virus transmission. Also, since it’s a festive season, a lot of people get together. So, you have to be watchful. There is no cause for alarm,” he added.
JN.1 is the most prevalent and widely circulating Omicron sub-lineage globally. The World Health Organization and the Union ministry of health and family welfare have classified JN.1 as ‘variant of interest’ and not a ‘variant of concern’.
The symptoms of JN.1 are the same as those of any Covid virus, said Dr Ravi, who is also a former member of the TAC and state Covid taskforce. “However, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised should wear masks while in crowded areas or closed spaces. Those who haven’t taken two doses of vaccine should take them now,” said Dr Ravi.
Asked if wearing mask should be made mandatory, he said: “ Not yet. There’s no need to make it mandatory.”
Eminent virologist Dr T Jacob John concurred. “Seasonal increase of two major respiratory infections across all ages — SARS-CoV-2 and influenza — is normal in winter. Risk of severe disease and need for hospitalisation increase for senior citizens and those with well-known conditions that reduce immunity. Masking is a wise precaution for them,” he told TOI. “Booster is prudent for the group with high risk of severe disease. In my opinion, a dose of nasal vaccine is simple and a safe precaution, irrespective of past infection or vaccine doses. It’s available through the CO-WIN portal by appointment.”
Dr John added that neither the number of detected cases nor the detection of JN.1 calls for new precautionary measures different from what are necessary for “endemic” Covid.
A total of 192 samples have been sent for genomic sequencing.“The results of 60 samples are available as on date, and the rest should be available by Wednesday,” D Randeep, health commissioner, told TOI.
The samples were tested at the National Institute of Virology, Pune, and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru.
The state’s cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee is holding a meeting Tuesday to look into various recommendations made by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on handling the emerging situation. However, experts see no reason to panic.
“JN.1 is less virulent but more infectious than the previous Covid variants because it has extra mutations in the spike protein. However, there is nothing to panic,” said Dr V Ravi, retired professor of virology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans).
“This is the season when climatic conditions favour virus transmission. Also, since it’s a festive season, a lot of people get together. So, you have to be watchful. There is no cause for alarm,” he added.
JN.1 is the most prevalent and widely circulating Omicron sub-lineage globally. The World Health Organization and the Union ministry of health and family welfare have classified JN.1 as ‘variant of interest’ and not a ‘variant of concern’.
The symptoms of JN.1 are the same as those of any Covid virus, said Dr Ravi, who is also a former member of the TAC and state Covid taskforce. “However, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised should wear masks while in crowded areas or closed spaces. Those who haven’t taken two doses of vaccine should take them now,” said Dr Ravi.
Asked if wearing mask should be made mandatory, he said: “ Not yet. There’s no need to make it mandatory.”
Eminent virologist Dr T Jacob John concurred. “Seasonal increase of two major respiratory infections across all ages — SARS-CoV-2 and influenza — is normal in winter. Risk of severe disease and need for hospitalisation increase for senior citizens and those with well-known conditions that reduce immunity. Masking is a wise precaution for them,” he told TOI. “Booster is prudent for the group with high risk of severe disease. In my opinion, a dose of nasal vaccine is simple and a safe precaution, irrespective of past infection or vaccine doses. It’s available through the CO-WIN portal by appointment.”
Dr John added that neither the number of detected cases nor the detection of JN.1 calls for new precautionary measures different from what are necessary for “endemic” Covid.