Covid-19 Back In India? Check Which State Has How Many Cases

Covid-19 surge: A fresh Covid-19 is driven by the JN.1 variant, with increased cases in countries like Singapore. India has so far reported 257 cases in the past week, with Kerala leading the tally.

A fresh Covid-19 surge has people worried.

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The world had only got back to normal after the massive disruption that Covid-19 brought about. However, Covid-19 is back. In several countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, and Thailand, a massive surge in Covid cases has been noticed. Multiple deaths have also been recorded.

Despite the scare, however, the situation in India has been "stable", according to officials from the Union Health Ministry. According to the data posted on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, there had been 257 Covid cases till May 19, with 164 patients being reported since May 12. One Covid-related death was also reported on May 12.

Which State Has The Most Covid Cases In India?

Several states have reported Covid cases. Kerala topped the list, with 69 cases being reported since May 12. The lone death also occurred in Kerala.

Second on the list was Maharashtra, which reported 44 cases. This was followed by Tamil Nadu (34), Karnataka (8), Gujarat (6), and Delhi (3). Haryana, Rajasthan, and Sikkim reported 1 case each between May 1 and May 19.

The global surge in Covid cases is reportedly caused by the JN.1 variant of the virus. 

What You Need To Know About JN.1: The COVID-19 Variant On The Rise

JN.1 has caught the eyes of scientists and health officials alike. As COVID-19 cases tick upward once again, many are wondering: "What makes this variant different, and how worried should we be?"

JN.1's Origins

JN.1 didn't appear out of nowhere. It's a direct descendant of BA.2.86, a heavily mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant that emerged in mid-2023. At the time, BA.2.86 raised eyebrows because it carried over 30 genetic changes, allowing it to dodge immune defences more effectively than its contemporaries, according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Despite its mutation-heavy profile, BA.2.86 didn't dominate the variant pool.

JN.1, however, has taken things a step further. With one or two additional mutations, it has become more transmissible, retaining the immune evasion abilities of its predecessor.

What's Happening Now?

JN.1 is currently contributing to the rise in COVID-19 infections, according to health officials. The symptoms associated with this variant are similar to those caused by previous Omicron strains, including fatigue, congestion, sore throat, and cough.

Despite its mutations, JN.1 is not immune to our existing defences. Diagnostic tests can still detect it. Updated COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection against severe outcomes, and antivirals like Paxlovid remain effective in treating infections, as per Johns Hopkins.

How Long Are You Contagious?

The contagious period for JN.1 lines up closely with other recent variants. Here's what to know:

The gestation period of the variant is 1-2 days. Symptoms begin to show after that. You can continue to spread the virus for 2-3 days after the symptoms appear, though some may remain contagious for up to a week.