Two cases of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been detected in Odisha, a senior official said on Thursday. The two cases were detected in Sundargarh and Bhubaneswar, while one of the patients has recovered completely and the other is under treatment. Samples that were found to be COVID-positive are being sent for genome sequencing.

"We are sending all the positives for genome sequencing. Two cases of JN.1 have come up in genome sequencing, while the total number of cases is 28. We will test the asymptomatic as per the ICMR guidelines and if they are found positive, they will be sent for genome sequencing," said Director of Health Services Bijay Kumar Mohapatra. "Out of two cases of JN.1, one is under treatment and the other is totally free of symptoms. One patient also has a travel history in Kerala. There is nothing to worry about; new variants are a viral phenomenon and they will keep coming up," he added.