Amid the rising cases of coronavirus cases, the national capital has reported the first case of JN.1 infection, which is a Sub-Variant of Omicron, said Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.Speaking to media persons, Delhi Health Minister said, Delhi has reported the first case of, a Sub-Variant of Omicron. Out of the 3 samples sent for Genome Sequencing, one is JN.1 and the other two are Omicron.JN.1 is a sub-variant of Omicron and is a mild infection. This is the one spreading in south India. There is no need to panic. It causes mild sickness: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj(File pic) https://t.co/t1TbmlY8iA pic.twitter.com/PzujxS7tjF— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023Meanwhile, a total of 109 JN.1 Covid variant cases have been reported in the country as of December 26, Health Ministry sources said on Wednesday.Expert advice on the JN.1 infectionWhile acknowledging the emergence of the new sub-variant, Dr Bobby Bhalotra, Vice Chairman of Chest Medicine at Gangaram Hospital, urged against panic. The ANI reports quoted the doctor in which he said, The new variants are so far mild they are from the family of the Omicron virus. So, the cases are not too much to be worried about there is no panic as such but yes, it is a sign that it has come back again. It may flourish because it is more infectious than the normal COVID virus so we have to start taking precautions. Precaution and prevention are better than cures. Take precautions so that doesnt spread for them.The veteran doctor added, There is an increase in cases of respiratory illness in OPD of 20-30 per cent due to weather changes, viral illness and an increase in pollution in the national capital.Delhi reports the first case of JN.1, a Sub-Variant of Omicron. Out of the 3 samples sent for Genome Sequencing, one is JN.1 & two are Omicron: Delhis Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj to ANI— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023He particularly highlighted that the exacerbation of existing conditions like asthma and COPD in patients due to various viruses, including H1N1, and the additional stress on their lungs caused by high pollution levels.Furthermore, he said, Despite having a vaccine against these viruses, especially H1N1, people are not getting themselves inoculated in time, and the immune system, which can be prevented by taking a vaccine, is not being used by many patients. So, this increasing exacerbation of breathing problems is due to viruses and more because of pollution. Pollution in our city is very high. And that impacts the lungs of patients, especially those with asthma, bronchitis, and interstitial lung disease. So thats another reason why the number of patients is higher these days in the OPDs, the Doctor said.WHO classifies JN.1 as variant of interestThe World Health Organization (WHO) has declared JN.1, a sub-variant of Omicron as a variant of interest, which is distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. Meanwhile, based on current data, the WHO maintains that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low.
