ICMR working on genome sequencing of new JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2: Union Health Ministry

According to the Union Health Ministry officials, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is working on genome sequencing of the novel JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2. According to Dr. V K Paul, a member of NITI Aayog’s health committee, 21 cases of the COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 have been found so far nationwide. He stressed the need for states to step up testing and strengthen their surveillance system while stating that the scientific community in India was closely examining the new variant.