Covid JN.1 sub-variant enters Odisha, 2 cases detected; govt says no need to panic

Bhubaneswar: Two cases of highly transmissible Covid sub-variant JN.1 were detected in Odisha on Wednesday, triggering concern among the state health authorities.

This is for the first time the Covid sub-variant cases have been detected in the state.

With the two fresh cases, the total number of Covid positive patients in the state has gone up to 28.

As per the Odisha health and family welfare data, the infected persons belong to Sundergarh and Bhubaneswar. While the patient hailing from Sundergarh has been cured of the disease, the one in Bhubaneswar is still under treatment at a private hospital. The patient from Sundergarh reportedly has a recent travel history to Kerala.

Speaking to reporters here, 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.”

“Now, we have 28 Covid positive patients in Odisha. Out of that, two patients have been found with JN.1 variant in genome sequencing. The one from Sundergarh 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. His health 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.