Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): In the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Kerala has reported 265 new Covid-19 infections and one death in the last 24 hours. The total number of active cases in the state now stands at 2,997.

Across India, on Thursday, there were 594 fresh COVID-19 infections, increasing the number of active cases from 2,311 the previous day to 2,669, according to Union Health Ministry data.

Amid growing concerns about the new variant of the Coronavirus, former World Health Organisation (WHO) chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan reassured the public that there is no need to panic at this time. She clarified that the new variant, JN.1, is classified as a variant of interest and not of concern. Dr. Swaminathan emphasized the importance of continued caution and adherence to preventive measures. She advised people to wear masks, avoid poorly ventilated environments, and seek medical attention if experiencing severe symptoms.

The World Health Organization recently categorized JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. Despite this classification, the WHO stressed that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.