Covid JN.1 sub-variant enters Odisha, 2 cases detected

For the first time, two cases of highly transmissible Covid sub-variant JN.1 were detected in Odisha on Wednesday triggering concern among the state health authorities. The total number of Covid positive patients in the state has risen to 28.

As per the Odisha Health and Family Welfare data, the infected persons belong to Sundargarh and Bhubaneswar. While the patient hailing from Sundargarh has been cured of the disease, the one in Bhubaneswar is still under treatment at a private hospital.

The patient from Sundargarh reportedly has a recent travel history to Kerala.

Speaking to OTV, Odisha Health Director, Bijay Mohapatra said, “There is no need to panic. Mutation of viruses into several variants and sub-variants is a normal process. Because JN.1 has been identified as a variant of importance, we have decided to send samples of all the Covid positive patients for genome sequencing.”

“We have 28 Covid positive patients in Odisha as of today. Out of that, two patients have been found with JN.1 variant in genome sequencing. The one from Sundargarh has completed his home isolation. Nobody from his contacts has become symptomatic. The one from Bhubaneswar is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar whose health condition too is good,” Mohapatra said.

In India, a total of 511 cases of the JN.1 series variant have been reported from 11 states till January 2. Karnataka has reported 199 cases of the sub-variant. Kerala has reported 148 cases. 47 cases have been reported from Goa, 36 from Gujarat, and 32 from Maharashtra.