Covid sub-variant cases on the rise: Is JN.1 more infectious and causing pneumonia? Explained

The world has been grappling with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for over a year now, and just when we thought we were starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, news of a new sub-variant, JN.1, has caused concern among health experts and the general public. The central government of India has also issued an advisory to all states, including Kerala, to take necessary precautions and prevent the spread of the new Covid variant, JN.1. Identifying the early growing trend of cases involves routinely tracking and reporting District-wise Influenza-like Illness and severe Acute Respiratory Illness cases in all healthcare facilities, including on the Integrated Health Information Platform portal. Currently, there are limited data available on the severity of illness caused by JN.1 with some reports suggesting that it might present similar symptoms to other Omicron subvariants, including fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. Staying up-to-date with vaccinations and boosters may provide significant protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death from COVID-19 Wearing a well-fitting mask, especially in indoor settings or crowded areas and maintaining a safe distance from others, especially when unmasked or in poorly ventilated spaces, may help mitigate the spread of infection.