The new Covid-19 subvariants NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 were detected in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat recently. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has categorised these variants as Variants under Monitoring, even as these variants are driving a spike in Asia countries.
What is the common Covid variant in the country?
The variant JN.1 remains the most common one across the country, while the new subvariants are lineages of JN.1.
The two lineages were identified during the genome sequencing carried out in the samples collected in the month of April by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).
As of May 26, Andhra Pradesh has reported eight new cases of Covid-19, Telangana has one new case, Tamil Nadu has three, Karnataka has reported 34 cases, and Kerala has the highest caseload with 335 cases. The total number of active cases across the country has increased above 1,000.
The new variants are considered highly transmissible but mild and are not expected to create much trouble, even as the experts advise people with comorbidities to be cautious.
Covid-19 infection is now endemic
With the Covid-19 infection being considered endemic, experts downplayed the frequent spike in cases.
The State governments in South India, including Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, have advised people to take precautions as the lineage has the potential to spread faster.
Meanwhile, the government of Andhra Pradesh has withdrawn the Covid-19 advisory issued earlier last week, given the low number of infections. The advisory had instructed to avoid mass gatherings and events, home isolation for elderly people and pregnant women.
In Hyderabad, a high-level meeting of health officials was held to review the condition prevailing across the state. With no massive spike in cases and with high prevalence of JN.1 variant together with herd immunity, the hospitalisation remains minimal.
Kerala prepares its medical department
With a higher number of fresh infections, the government of Kerala has mandated face masks for hospital staff. The health department has instructed the hospitals to ensure a sufficient number of RT-PCR kits, safety kits and masks. The health department has advised the general public to undergo tests in case of a continuous cough, sore throat, cold and shortness of breath.
The number of active cases in Tamil Nadu is hovering around 70 cases, with no severe spike being reported from any districts. The government, with the monsoon arriving, has expanded monitoring of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI).
With a higher number of vaccinations and a low risk associated with the new Covid-19 variants and lineages, the State governments have asked people to remain cautious and not to panic.
