Only 18% tested, India risks undetected community spread of JN.1: Study

JN.1 cases have been detected in the US, China, and India. Official figures from India show just over 1700 active cases nationwide

Only 18 per cent people with Covid-like symptoms took a screening test this year, according to a recent survey by LocalCircles that hints at likely undercounting of actual cases at a time the new JN.1 sub-variant of coronavirus is spreading globally.

LocalCircles, in a survey conducted between November 20 and December 18, received responses from over 24,000 citizens across 303 districts in India. The data revealed that 76 per cent of the respondents or their immediate family members did not undertake any Covid test despite experiencing symptoms like cold, fever and respiratory troubles.

The survey added that 18 per cent of respondents with Covid symptoms opted for testing, out of which a mere 12 per cent chose the RT-PCR test. Reasons cited for the reluctance to test included a perceived lack of necessity, reliance on symptom-based treatment, inconvenience, test cost, and doubts about the accuracy of the RT-PCR test.

The JN.1 variant had over 50,000 cases in Singapore in the first week of December.

JN.1 cases have also been detected in the US, China and India. Official figures from India show over 1,900 active cases nationwide; the survey suggests potentially many more symptomatic individuals are avoiding testing.

The Union health secretary issued a directive on Monday, urging states to maintain vigilance after the JN.1 variant was reported in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, along with five Covid deaths.

1,970 cases in India

India on Tuesday reported 1,970 active Covid-19 cases, adding 142 cases to the tally. The overall toll since the start of the pandemic reached 533,318 after one death was recorded in Karnataka, according to data from the Union health ministry.

Kerala alone had 1,749 active cases. The health ministry is conducting mock drills across private and public facilities in the country to assess preparedness in case of a spike in Covid-19 patients. Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya 20 will review the preparedness of health facilities on Wednesday. He will also hold a virtual review meeting with health ministers and secretaries of states, according to reports.