India Covid update: India’s coronavirus count rises to 1,047 active cases; ICMR confirms four new variants; death toll 11
PTC Web Desk: India has recorded a total of 1,047 active Covid-19 cases as of the latest update, with Kerala leading the count with 430 cases, followed by Maharashtra (208), Delhi (104), and Gujarat (83). Karnataka has reported 80 cases, of which 73 are concentrated in Bengaluru alone. The rising numbers coincide with a noticeable increase in deaths across multiple states.
According to the Health Ministry, 11 deaths due to Covid-19 have been reported recently, nine of which occurred within the last week. The highest number of fatalities—five—has been recorded in Maharashtra, including a woman who died during treatment in Thane on Monday.
In Jaipur, two Covid-related deaths were reported on Monday. One person was found dead at the railway station, later testing positive for oronavirus. The second fatality involved a 26-year-old male with pre-existing tuberculosis, who was admitted to a private hospital.
Thane, Maharashtra, also reported the death of a young 21-year-old male on May 25, who had been under treatment since May 22. On May 17, an 84-year-old man in Bengaluru, Karnataka, succumbed to multi-organ failure. His Covid test results turned positive on May 24. Kerala has also reported two related deaths recently.
Four new variants identified in India
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has confirmed the detection of four new variants in India amid the recent spike in cases. The variants are: LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB.1.8.1. These variants were identified through genome sequencing of samples from southern and western India. Efforts are ongoing to sequence samples from other regions to monitor for further mutations.
Dr. Bahl emphasized that while the new variants have been identified, the overall severity remains low. The World Health Organization (WHO) has not classified these variants as “variants of concern” but has placed them under monitoring due to their global emergence, particularly in China and other parts of Asia.
NB.1.8.1 and JN.1: More transmissible, immune-resistant
Among the new variants, NB.1.8.1 shows spike protein mutations such as A435S, V445H, and T478I, which may increase its transmissibility and resistance to existing immunity.
Meanwhile, JN.1 has emerged as the most common Covid-19 variant in India, appearing in more than 50% of recent test samples. This is followed by BA.2 (26%) and other Omicron sub-lineages (20%).
JN.1: What you should know
JN.1 is a sub-strain of Omicron BA2.86, first identified in August 2023.
It was designated a "variant of interest" by WHO in December 2023.
The variant features around 30 mutations that potentially weaken immune protection.
According to Johns Hopkins University, JN.1 spreads more easily than previous strains, though it does not generally cause severe illness.
Symptoms of JN.1 may persist for several days to weeks, and long Covid remains a concern in cases where symptoms continue after recovery.
- With inputs from agencies
