India Reports 743 New COVID-19 Cases, Records Seven Deaths; Active Caseload Stands at 3,997

India has reported 743 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, with the total active caseload increasing by seven to reach 3,997, as per data from the Union Health Ministry. The country also recorded seven deaths during this period, with three reported in Kerala, two in Karnataka, and one each in Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.

The cumulative count of COVID-19 cases in India since the outbreak in January 2020 has now reached 4,50,12,484, with an increase of 743 cases in the last 24 hours. The death toll due to COVID-19 in the country stands at 5,33,358, reflecting an increase of seven deaths in the same period.

On December 29, 2023, a total of 41,797 tests were conducted, according to the official report by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

India has also reported a total of 145 cases of the Covid-19 subvariant JN.1 till December 28. These cases were identified from samples collected between November 21 and December 18, 2023. The JN.1 subvariant is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant known as BA.2.86 or Pirola, and the first case of the JN.1 variant was reported in Kerala. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified JN.1 as a variant of interest, distinct from its parent lineage BA.2.86. However, the WHO has emphasized that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.