WHO Classifies New Sub-variant Of Coronavirus As “Variant Of Interest”
New Delhi, December 20 (TNA) The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the new sub-variant of Corona as JN.1 'Variant of Interest'. However, it was also said that this does not pose much danger to the people. WHO said that considering the data and conditions received so far, JN.1 is not very dangerous for health.
WHO said existing vaccines protect against severe disease and death caused by JN.1 and other circulating variants of the COVID-19 virus. Earlier, the World Health Organization had urged member countries to continue strong surveillance, saying that the virus is changing and evolving.
'Variant of interest' means 'variant of concern'
'Variant of interest' means the health organization will continue to monitor the nature and infectiousness of the variant before classifying it as a 'variant of concern'. Earlier, based on the nature of the variants, WHO has classified Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta as variants of concern. The lambda variant was classified as a variant of interest.
115 new cases of Covid reported in Kerala
Corona cases are increasing in Kerala. Kerala has reported 115 new Covid-19 infections in the last 24 hours, taking the total active cases of the virus in the state to 1,749, according to Union Health Ministry data. It is noteworthy that recently, the first case of the new sub-variant JN.1 of Corona virus was reported in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
According to the ministry's website, out of the 142 cases reported across the country till 8 am on Tuesday, 115 cases are from Kerala. However, no death due to corona virus has been reported in the state in the last 24 hours.
Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh issued alert
In view of the increase in Covid-19 cases across the country, the governments of Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have issued Covid advisory in the state on Tuesday. In Karnataka, instructions have been issued to people above 60 years of age, people suffering from co-morbidities, pregnant women and lactating mothers to wear face masks when going out.
The Telangana government has issued an alert to all the hospitals in the state regarding the new variant of Corona virus. Andhra Pradesh has asked the health department to be fully prepared to deal with any situation. This advisory of the states has come a day after the advisory issued by the Centre.