Amid reports of rising COVID-19 cases in parts of the country, data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has confirmed the presence of two descendants of the JN.1 variant — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — in India.
According to INSACOG, which comprises 64 laboratories tasked with monitoring genomic variations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, one case of NB.1.8.1 was detected in Tamil Nadu in April, while four instances of LF.7 were identified in Gujarat in May. Both variants have been classified as “Variants Under Monitoring” (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating that they require prioritised attention and surveillance due to potential public health implications, news agency IANS reported.
The variants have also reportedly contributed to a spike in COVID-19 cases in China and other parts of Asia.
As per the Ministry of Health’s data as of 19 May, India had 257 active COVID cases. JN.1 remains the dominant circulating variant in the country, comprising 53 per cent of the samples tested. It is followed by the BA.2 variant (26 per cent) and other Omicron sub-lineages (20 per cent).
The WHO’s preliminary risk assessment categorises NB.1.8.1 as posing a low public health risk globally. However, it carries spike protein mutations — A435S, V445H, and T478I — that may result in increased transmissibility and immune escape compared to earlier variants.
Meanwhile, several states and union territories have reported fresh COVID-19 infections. Maharashtra has logged 106 cases in May so far, including 95 from Mumbai. In Haryana, Gurugram has recorded three cases and Faridabad one. Tamil Nadu has reported a recent increase with 12 new cases in Puducherry.
Karnataka currently has 16 active cases, according to State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Gujarat reported seven infections in a single day from Ahmedabad, bringing the state’s active case tally to 15. Delhi recorded 23 fresh cases, while Andhra Pradesh reported four in the last 24 hours. Telangana confirmed one case, and a nine-month-old child in Bengaluru tested positive amid a gradual rise in infections over the last 20 days. Kerala alone reported 273 cases in May.
Despite the uptick, the Union Health Ministry has assured that India has a robust surveillance system for respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Noida Reports First COVID Case Amid Fresh Surge
In a related development, a 55-year-old woman in Noida has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been placed under home quarantine, according to officials quoted by PTI. Samples from her family members have been sent for testing. According to news agency ANI, this is the first case in Noida amid the fresh surge.
Chief Medical Officer of Gautam Budh Nagar district, Narendra Kumar, told PTI, “The woman, who is under home quarantine, travelled on a train on May 14. Samples of her family members have been collected and sent for testing.”
He added, “The administration is geared up to deal with the situation. We urge people not to panic and follow the safety protocols, including wearing face masks and hand sanitisation.”
Thane Reports COVID-19 Death, Eight New Cases; 18 Active Patients in City
A 21-year-old man with severe diabetes succumbed to COVID-19-related complications at Thane’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Kalwa on Saturday, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) said in a statement. The civic body confirmed that the young patient died due to “comorbidities”, PTI reported.
According to the TMC, eight new COVID-19 cases were reported in the city on May 24, bringing the total number of active patients to 18. Of these, only one is currently receiving treatment in hospital, while the remaining 17 are under home isolation.
The health bulletin further noted that the condition of all active patients is stable.
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