A case of the JN.1 subvariant of COVID-19 has been identified in the state of Kerala through routine surveillance conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). The Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), confirmed this information during a statement issued on December 16, 2023. A press release was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) on that same day.
INSACOG, a network of genomic laboratories, has been actively monitoring the genomic perspective of COVID-19 in India, with ICMR being an integral part of this consortium. According to the revised surveillance guidelines related to COVID-19, individuals with Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) symptoms are tested for COVID-19, and positive cases are referred for Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
The case in question was detected in an RT-PCR positive sample from Karakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on December 8, 2023. The sample had initially tested positive on November 18, 2023. The patient exhibited mild symptoms of ILI and has successfully recovered from COVID-19.
Kerala has witnessed a rising trend in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, attributed to the increased testing of samples from ILI cases. Fortunately, the majority of these cases are clinically mild, with patients recovering at home without the need for extensive medical intervention.
To evaluate the public health and hospital preparedness measures, a mock drill is currently underway in all health facilities across states. This exercise, initiated by the Union Health Ministry on December 13, is conducted under the supervision of district collectors and is expected to conclude by December 18, 2023.
The Union Ministry of Health is actively engaged in continuous communication with the State Department of Health in Kerala, closely monitoring various points of entry. As the situation unfolds, health authorities are emphasizing the importance of adherence to safety protocols and encouraging the public to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
