No cause for panic over the new Covid variant
Hindustan Times|December 25, 2023
The emergence of a new Covid variant JN.1 has sparked some concern, particularly in light of the year-end holidays and festivities. The World Health Organization (WHO) classified JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) on December 19, distinct from the parent lineage BA.2.86.
Rajib Dasgupta
No cause for panic over the new Covid variant

On the surface, the numbers may appear worrying. But there are several reasons why there is no cause for alarm.

Let's begin with what we know so far. There has been a sixfold rise in active cases in India, from 115 on December 6, 2023 to 752 on December 23-to be sure, from a very low base. Only 22 cases of the newly emergent JN.1 sub-variant have been detected so far, most of them from Goa and one each in Kerala and Maharashtra. Six most-recent Covid deaths were reported from Kerala (three), Karnataka (two) and Punjab (one). However, it is not yet confirmed whether these are JN.1 variant cases. At the same time, a rise in daily positivity rate has been reported from Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Karnataka. With increased testing, Kerala is reporting most of the new cases, and the solitary JN.1 case is a 79-year-old woman and India's first case of this variant. The JN.1 cases of Goa were from a single cluster who attended a film festival. Maharashtra's only JN.1 case diagnosed so far is a 41-year-old man in Sindhudurg, a district that shares a border with North Goa District and he had a travel history to Goa.

Esta historia es de la edición December 25, 2023 de Hindustan Times.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 25, 2023 de Hindustan Times.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE HINDUSTAN TIMESVer todo
Aamir-Ajay off-screen reunion makes fans ask for Ishq 2
Hindustan Times

Aamir-Ajay off-screen reunion makes fans ask for Ishq 2

When actors Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn reunited at an event on Saturday, it left their fans nostalgic.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Blissful Bebo in Saif haven!
Hindustan Times

Blissful Bebo in Saif haven!

Kareena Kapoor Khan is back in the bay from her Diwali holiday in the Maldives, and on Saturday, the actor shared some stunning pictures of sun-kissed beaches and sun-tanned skin from her dreamy getaway with her boys – actor-husband Saif Ali Khan and sons, Taimur and Jeh.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
FAKE TICKETS, SCALPING STRIKE A SOUR NOTE
Hindustan Times

FAKE TICKETS, SCALPING STRIKE A SOUR NOTE

Ahead of some big international gigs in India, we talk to artists and organisers about the rising threat of fake ticketing and black marketeering

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
He always had a smile on his face: Ssudeep Sahir delves into memories of Nitin Chauhaan
Hindustan Times

He always had a smile on his face: Ssudeep Sahir delves into memories of Nitin Chauhaan

Actor Ssudeep Sahir, one of the first to confirm the tragic passing of his Tera Yaar Hoon Main co-star Nitin Chauhaan, is in a state of shock after the incident. Chauhaan, 35, was found dead in his Mumbai flat on Friday. He allegedly died by suicide.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Hindustan Times

MCSWEENEY TO OPEN, INGLIS HANDED FIRST TEST CALL UP FOR BGT OPENER

Uncapped Nathan McSweeney won the race to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against India while Australia also handed a maiden Test call up to Josh Inglis on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024
Pakistan win 1st ODI series Down Under since 2002
Hindustan Times

Pakistan win 1st ODI series Down Under since 2002

Saim Ayub hit 42 and Abdullah Shafique 37 as Pakistan raced to a commanding eight-wicket victory and their first one-day series win in Australia for 22 years on Sunday.

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Jagan Kumar, the 11-time national motorcycle champion, quits racing
Hindustan Times

Jagan Kumar, the 11-time national motorcycle champion, quits racing

NEW DELHI: It has been an emotional time for Jagan Kumar, the illustrious rider who decided to roll his bike into the garage for good after dominating Indian circuits for around 15 years.

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
A rivalry and new momentum
Hindustan Times

A rivalry and new momentum

Sabalenka-Swiatek battle for the top promises an exciting year in women's tennis

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Varun's fifer in vain, Stubbs scripts a sensational chase
Hindustan Times

Varun's fifer in vain, Stubbs scripts a sensational chase

South Africa level series 1-1, beating India by three wickets in the second T20I at Gqeberha

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 11, 2024
Chelsea, Arsenal in 1-1 draw; United win
Hindustan Times

Chelsea, Arsenal in 1-1 draw; United win

Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils in a tense and at times bruising 1-1 battle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, keeping the London sides level in the Premier League, but still nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

time-read
1 min  |
November 11, 2024