Covid concern in India! See the symptoms of JN 1 variant, symptoms and other details here

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently elevated the status of the Covid novel strain JN 1, and designated it as a ‘variant of interest,’ in the ongoing fight against the virus. The JN.1 strain is a descendant of the BA.2.86 variant (an Omicron sub-variant).

Covid cases in India seem to be on the rise again, what is more shocking is that there have been two deaths in Maharashtra said reports on Tuesday. According to reports in Mumbai, two recent deaths have been reported due to Covid 19. It is worth mentioning here that both the deaths were reported at the King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital.

One was a 14-year-old with kidney failure caused by nephrotic syndrome, and the other was a 54-year-old cancer patient, said reports. Both patients had serious comorbidities.

Following recent media reports of a surge in COVID-19 cases in Singapore and Hong Kong, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) convened a review meeting with experts from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Emergency Medical Relief (EMR) division, Disaster Management Cell, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and central government hospitals relating to Covid concern in India, sources said.

The meeting was chaired by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), said sources. According to the information, cases in Singapore and Hong Kong are mostly mild and not associated with unusual severity or mortality.

In light of these developments, the expert review meeting concluded that the current COVID-19 situation in India remains under control. As of May 19, 2025, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India stands at 257 — a very low figure considering the country’s large population.

Almost all of these cases are mild, with no hospitalization required. The country also has a robust system for surveillance of respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and ICMR. The Union Health Ministry remains vigilant and proactive in monitoring the situation closely, following the Covid concern in India ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard public health.

Those infected with Covid JN 1 experience mild upper respiratory symptoms. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, exhaustion and minor gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, there may be loss of appetite and persistent nausea.

Symptoms are usually mild and typically improve within four to five days. Health experts advise washing hands regularly, wearing a mask and following other Covid 19 precautions to prevent oneself from being infected.

Also Read: Covid is back again! Wear masks in case of comorbidities advises: Director of Public Health Odisha

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