The JN.1 subvariant of the coronavirus is a descendant of the BA.2.86 variant, often called Pirola. It was first detected in the United States in September, and the first global case was identified as early as January of this year. India's initial case of JN.1 was found in Kerala on December 8. (PTI)
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According to the National Indian Medical Association Covid Task Force's co-chairman, Rajeev Jayadevan, the JN.1 variant is capable of spreading faster and evading immunity. (HT File Photo)
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"JN.1 is a severely immune-evasive and fast-spreading variant, markedly different from XBB and all other prior versions of this virus. This enables it to infect people who had previous Covid infections and also people who were vaccinated," he was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI. (AFP)
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the JN.1 subvariant can cause more severe symptoms or spread more rapidly than the variants already in circulation. (PTI)
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The protective measures against a respiratory virus remain the same. Experts recommend wearing masks in crowded areas and practising frequent handwashing. (PTI)
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(From L to R) Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on May 5, 2025. They stood united in tribute during the national anthem. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
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This tradition has started when the maker of "Budgie Smuggler" was giving out free swimming trunks to the first 200 people who voted in smugglers, as per reports.