India has recorded 335 fresh Covid-19 infections and the number of active cases rose to 1,701 on Sunday, according to the Union Health Ministry.Covid-19 cases increase in IndiaIn the past couple of days, five deaths were reported – four in Kerala, where the Covid new variant JN. 1 was detected, and one in Uttar Pradesh, the Health Ministry data showed. The total Covid caseload in the country stood at 4.50 crore (4,50,04,816).According to the Health Ministry, the number of people who recovered from the infection increased to 4.46 crore (4,44,69,799). The national recovery rate was pegged at 98.81 per cent.Nearly, 5,33,316 people have died due to Covid-19 and the case fatality rate stood at 1.19 per cent so far.Since the pandemic hit India, 220.67 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the country.Covid sub-variant JN.1 found in KeralaA 79-year-old woman hailing from Kerala was detected with Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 as part of an ongoing routine surveillance activity of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), a senior official from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Saturday.Taking notes from the case, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director General of the ICMR, said that this case was detected in an RT-PCR positive sample from Karakulam in Thiruvananthapuram district of the southern state on December 8.The sample tested RT-PCR positive on November 18, he added. The woman had mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and has since recovered from Covid-19.Whats Kerala Health Ministers stanceKerala Health Minister Veena George took cognisance of the situation and said the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 that was detected in the state was not a cause for concern.Speaking to the media about the new variant, she said the sub-variant was detected months ago in Indian passengers who were screened at Singapore airport.There is no need for any concern. Its a sub-variant. It was just found here. Months ago, this variant was detected in a few Indians who were screened at the Singapore airport. Its just that Kerala has identified the variant here through genome sequencing. There is no need to worry. The situation is being closely monitored, she said.Kerala Health Minister Veena George says, No need of any worry. That is a sub-variant (COVID-19 sub-strain JN.1). Now it is detected. Two or three months back it was detected in Indians when they were tested at Singapore airport. It is existing in other parts of India. Kerala… pic.twitter.com/u7iiQoxaBJ— ANI (@ANI) December 17, 2023However, the minister asked people to remain cautious and said those with comorbidities should be careful.