Covid-19 subvariant JN.1 detected in Kerala

A case of JN.1 subvariant of Covid-19 has been detected in Kerala, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. The case was detected in an RT-PCR positive test sample from Karakulam in Thiruvananthapuram on December 8, it said.

“The sample was tested RT-PCR positive on 18th November 2023. The patient had mild symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) and has since recovered from Covid-19,” the ministry said.

The ministry has been in regular touch with the state health department and monitoring various points of entry, it said.


The development comes amid an increase in Covid-19 cases in Kerala in the past few weeks.

“This has been attributed to an increase in number of samples from ILI cases being referred for testing,” the ministry said.

The majority of cases are clinically mild and recovering on their own at their homes without any treatment, according to the ministry. It said the case was detected as part of the ongoing routine surveillance activity by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG).

The consortium is a network of genomic laboratories which has been monitoring Covid-19.

As per the revised surveillance guidelines in the context of Covid-19, patients of ILI and severe acute respiratory infection are tested for Covid-19 and positive cases referred for whole genome sequencing.

As part of a regular exercise, a mock drill in all health facilities in states is currently underway to assess their public health and hospital preparedness measures.

“This activity, which started from 13th December, is being carried out under the overall supervision of the district collectors and is likely to be completed by 18th December,” said the health ministry.