The past two years have been a rollercoaster ride of uncertainty, and just when the world thought the situation of Coronavirus pandemic was under control, a new variant, JN.1, has surfaced. This article aims to dissect the symptoms, causes, and implications of JN.1, the new strain of COVID-19. What is JN.1? How Does it Affect People? JN.1, an Omicron subvariant, surfaced in September last year amid declining temperatures, showing heightened transmission rates. Stemming from BA.2.86 (also known as Pirola), JN.1 possesses an additional spike protein mutation crucial for SARS-CoV-2 cell interaction.  The World Health Organization (WHO) categorises JN.1 as a Variant of Interest (VOI), distinct from its precursor BA.2.86, due to its rapid spread. Recently identified in the United States, close monitoring is essential to comprehend and address the dynamics of this evolving COVID-19 variant. The rise in JN.1 cases aligns with a general surge in COVID-19 infections. Symptoms of JN.1 infection closely resemble those of earlier Omicron variants, with no apparent increase in severity. While there are hints of potential increased diarrhoea cases, concrete data supporting this observation is currently lacking. Continuous monitoring is essential to better understand the characteristics of this variant.  Read more: Bangladesh reports 53 more Covid-19 cases in 24hrs Is JN.1 More Transmissible? JN.1, a descendant in the Omicron lineage, appears to be more transmissible than its precursor, BA.2.86. The observed surge in case numbers indicates increased transmissibility. Several newer variants, including JN.1, exhibit mutations affecting the spike protein's binding strength to respiratory cells, potentially enhancing replication and immune evasion.  While it remains early to precisely gauge JN.1's transmissibility and immune escape compared to other Omicron variants, experts assert its notable virulence. Dr. Joseph Khabbaza from the Cleveland Clinic notes that the current strain seems to deliver a more potent impact than its predecessors.  Who is at High Risk of Infection?  Certain groups face a higher risk of contracting the easily transmissible virus. These include: - People aged 65 and above- Diabetic people- People with neurological disorders- People who have pre-existing health conditions like COPD, heart diseases, chronic kidney diseases, cystic fibrosis, and individuals suffering from liver ailments- Pregnant women- Smokers- People with a compromised or weak immune system- Healthcare workers- People who are not vaccinated or have not taken booster shots. Read more: COVID-19: Bangladesh reports 35 more cases in 24hrs What are the Symptoms and Causes of the JN.1 COVID-19 Variant? JN.1's increasing prevalence implies heightened contagiousness or improved evasion of immune defences, as per the CDC. Currently, there is no evidence indicating it induces more severe disease than other strains, despite potential transmission spikes. Symptoms associated with JN.1 seem comparable to those induced by other strains, encompassing a range such as  - Sore throat- Congestion- Runny nose- Cough- Fatigue- Headache- Muscle aches- Fever or chills- Loss of sense of taste or smell- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing- Nausea or vomiting- Diarrhoea The nature and intensity of symptoms typically rely more on an individual's overall health and immune condition rather than the specific variant causing the infection.  Read more: COVID-19: Bangladesh reports 28 more cases in 24hrs

The overall number of Covid-19 cases in the world is now approaching 678 million. According to the latest global data, the total Covid-19 case count amounted to 677,724,407 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,783,338 this morning (February 14, 2023). The US has reported 104,787,053 Covid-19 cases so far, while 1,140,209 people have died from the virus in the country — both highest counts globally. India reported 82 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, the union health ministry data showed on Monday. While active cases declined to 1,837, the total number of cases has reached 44.7 million so far. Read: US lauds countries, partners including Bangladesh who participated in COVID-19 Global Action Plan Meanwhile, France has registered 39,565,489 Covid-19 cases so far, occupying the third position in the world number-wise, while 164,587 people have died in the country, as per Worldometer. Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh reported one more Covid-linked death and 9 cases in the 24 hours till Monday morning. With the new numbers, the country's total fatalities rose to 29,445 and caseload to 2,037,688, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The daily Covid-19 test positivity rate increased to 0.45 percent from Sunday's 0.28 as 2,022 samples were tested. Read More: Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 8 more cases in 24 hours.

The overall number of global Covid-19 cases is gradually nearing 672 million, with the sudden surge of the virus’ Omicron sub-variant in Asia and some other parts of the world. According to the latest global data, the total Covid-19 case count mounted to 671,889,386 while the death toll from the virus reached 6,733,572 this morning. The US has recorded 103,614,411 Covid-19 cases so far, while 1,125,895 people have died from the virus in the country, both highest counts around the world. Read: China reports 60,000 COVID-related deaths since early December India recorded 89 new coronavirus infections, the lowest since March 27, 2020, while the active cases declined to 2,035, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The Covid-19 case tally for the country stood at 4.46 crore (4,46,81,233) while the death counts were at 5,30,726. Meanwhile, France has registered 39,461,387 Covid-19 cases so far, occupying the third position in the world, while 163,562 people have died in the country, as per the Worldometer. Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh reported nine more Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours till Tuesday morning. Read: Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 9 more cases With the new number, the country's total caseload rose to 2,037,386, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). However, the official death toll from the disease remained unchanged at 29,441 as no new fatalities were reported.

Amid the growing Covid-19 cases, health experts fear that Bangladesh’s frontier districts await a serious healthcare crisis as most hospitals and health complexes there are ill-equipped to cope with any worsening situation. They also voiced frustration as local administrations in different frontier districts are “buying time” in enforcing strict lockdowns and halting the inter-district transport services to control the virus locally. They said the government should focus on preventing the spread of the virus transmission to other areas from the frontier ones and enhancing the number of hospital beds, treatment facilities, equipment, and ensuring an adequate supply of oxygen, high-flow nasal cannula and necessary medicines at hospitals and upazila health complexes in the bordering areas witnessing a surge in the virus infection rate. Read Indian COVID variant: Why is it more deadly? How is it affecting the neighboring countries? Covid cases are growing alarmingly in Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Satkhira, Khulna, Kushtia, Jashore, Naogaon and Natore since the last week of May apparently for the prevalence of the highly transmissible Indian variant. According to a research conducted in India, one person carrying 1.617 known as the Indian variant, can infect about 406 people in just one month. Though the government has already empowered local administrations to enforce lockdowns in the virus-affected districts, only Chapainawabganj has been put under lockdown so far. Also read: Covid-19: Four Jashore hospitals ready to provide treatment Jashore Benapole land port is located in the district through which 60 to 70 passengers enter the country every day on average from India and the 'Indian variant' has already been found in some returnees from India. The number of Covid patients is growing in the district alarmingly with around 24 percent infection rate, according to official sources.  There is a health complex in Navaran upazila, 14 km away from the land port, but it has neither any Covid unit nor adequate facilities to deal with Covid patients. Covid patients are being treated at the 250-bed Jashore General Hospital, but it has no central oxygen system. Cylinders are being used to give oxygen support to Covid patients. Read What does it feel like to get COVID-19 after taking the vaccine?

Bangladesh lost 26 more lives in the second wave of Covid in 24 hours till Friday morning, taking the country's fatalities to 12,310. The daily infection rate rose to 8.22% from Thursday's 7.50%, said the Directorate General of Health Services. Meanwhile, 1,504 people came out positive in 18,294 tests carried out over the same period, pushing the country's caseload to 786,698. "The fatality number, recorded so far, is lower compared to the number of positive cases. This warrants conduction of genomic sequencing to see if any new but less virulent variant is in the offing," Dr AM Zakir Hussain, former director of the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, told UNB. Meanwhile, the fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.56% and the recovery rate stood at 92.67%. Read: 3 India returnees test positive for Covid in Magura So far, the country has carried out 5,793,177 sample tests since reporting its first cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month. Vaccination drive  Bangladesh launched its vaccination drive on February 7 with Oxford-AstraZeneca doses purchased from India's Serum Institute.  The administration of the first dose has remained suspended since April 26. Also, the country, the prime recipient of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines, has suspended the registration for Covid-19 jabs due to vaccine shortage amid a delay in the timely arrival of shipments from India. Vaccine supply update The government signed an agreement with Serum for 30 million doses. But a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the doses uncertain. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen Friday reached out to global media to let the world know that Bangladesh is desperately looking for vaccines and ready to accept any shipment from any country including the US. "A large number of people in Bangladesh, who took the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca, could not get the second dose because we have run out of supplies," the minister said. Also, Dr Momen said he had requested the US government and sent a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. "They agreed to give us vaccine. However, the US Food and Drug Administration is taking much time to approve the export of AstraZeneca," he said. Read:Bangladesh reaches out to int'l media as it seeks vaccines desperately The minister Thursday said the government was making its best efforts to get vaccines from multiple countries – the US, China, Canada, Russia and the UK – apart from its continuous request to India to meet Bangladesh's urgent needs. Bangladesh received 5 lakh China's Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses as a gift on May 12. The administering of the shots will begin by May 25-26, said Health Minister Zahid Maleque. Also, the country would receive a minimum of 106,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine under the COVAX scheme, co-led by Gavi on June 2, Zahid Maleque said Tuesday. Besides, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Wednesday approved a proposal of the Health Services Division to import the Sinofarm Covid-19 vaccine.

German officials have decided to limit the use of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine in people under 60 after more unusual blood clots were reported in a small number of people who received the shots. In response, Europe’s drug regulator reiterated Wednesday that “there is no evidence that would support restricting the use of this vaccine in any population,” though an expert said more brain clots were being reported than would be expected, and it continues to investigate. Earlier in March, more than a dozen countries, including Germany, suspended their use of AstraZeneca over the blood clot issue. Most restarted — some with the kinds of restrictions Germany imposed Tuesday — after the European Medicines Agency said the benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks of not inoculating people against COVID-19. But the seesawing back and forth in some countries on who can take the vaccine has raised concerns that its credibility could be permanently damaged. Here’s a look at what we know — and what we don’t. WHAT HAPPENED IN GERMANY? Earlier this week, Germany’s medical regulator released new data showing a rise in reported cases of unusual kinds of blood clots in people who recently got a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In response, Health Minister Jens Spahn and state officials agreed to only give the vaccine to people aged 60 or older, unless they are at high risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19 and have agreed to take the shot. “It’s about weighing the risk of a side effect that is statistically small, but needs to be taken seriously, and the risk of falling ill with corona,” Spahn said. Also read: German cities suspend AstraZeneca vaccine use for under-60s Germany’s medical regulator said its tally of the rare blood clots reported by March 29 had increased to 31. Some 2.7 million doses of AstraZeneca have been administered in Germany so far. Nine of the people died and all but two of the cases involved women, who were aged 20 to 63, the Paul Ehrlich Institute said. Some clots have also been reported elsewhere, among the tens of millions of people who have received the AstraZeneca vaccine. WHAT HAVE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS FOUND? The EMA’s initial investigation concluded the AstraZeneca shot did not raise the overall risk of blood clots but could not rule out a link to rare clots and recommended a new warning be added to the vaccine’s leaflet. The shot is authorized for people 18 and over. The EMA is continuing to look closely at two rare types of blood clots, including one that affects the brain, reported in people who got at least one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine and could update its recommendations for the vaccine next week. On Wednesday, Dr. Peter Arlett of the EMA said that the agency is seeing “more cases of (brain clots) than we would expect to see,” and noted that more younger women have been affected — but it wasn’t clear if that was significant since younger women were also more likely to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine in Europe. He did not say how many of these kinds of clots would typically show up in the general population. Also read: Canada pauses AstraZeneca vaccine for under 55   Emer Cooke, the agency’s executive director, said its experts had not been able to identify specific risk factors for those who might be at higher risk for the rare clots. The World Health Organization’s expert committee also evaluated available data for the AstraZeneca vaccine and said the shot was safe and effective. On Wednesday, Dr. Kate O’Brien, who heads WHO’s vaccines department, said they were continuing to review the situation. It’s normal to continue to look for side effects as new vaccines are rolled out since they are typically tested in tens of thousands of people, but some rare problems might only occur once millions receive the shot. HOW CAN SCIENTISTS FIGURE OUT IF THE VACCINE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RARE BLOOD CLOTS? “The way to tell if cases are caused by vaccination is to look to see if there is an excess of cases in people who have been vaccinated,” said Dr. Peter English, past chair of the British Medical Association’s Public Health Medicine Committee. That will take some time. It took about a year, for instance, before scientists were able to conclude that a swine flu vaccine was responsible for some cases of narcolepsy in Europe. Adam Finn, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Bristol, said there was no compelling evidence yet that the vaccine is to blame for the rare clots.   Also read: AstraZeneca confirms strong vaccine protection after US rift “The mechanism by which these blood clotting abnormalities come about, and why they affect this very small proportion of individuals, has still not been properly worked out,” he said in a statement. In a statement, AstraZeneca said it was analyzing the tens of millions of records for people who received its vaccine “to understand whether these very rare cases of blood clots ... occur any more commonly than would be expected naturally population of millions of people.” WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS? It’s bad news. Health officials worry the repeated suspensions and restrictions for the AstraZeneca vaccine could undermine confidence in a shot that is key to global efforts to stamp out the pandemic since it’s cheaper and easier to store than some others. In Norway, which recently extended its suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine for three weeks, officials say the confusion is prompting a wave of vaccine hesitancy. The leader of the Norwegian Association for General Practice, Marte Kvittum Tangen, told broadcaster NRK that resuming the vaccination with AstraZeneca “will be very difficult if we want the greatest possible vaccination coverage in the population in the long run.” Finn, of the University of Bristol, said the biggest health threat to the world is currently COVID-19 and that any doubts about the effectiveness of authorized coronavirus vaccines is problematic. “We need to stay focused on the need to prevent (COVID-19) taking millions more human lives before it is brought under control, and the only effective way to do that is through vaccination,” he said.

Registering a surge globally for a fourth week in a row, the total Covid-19 caseload reached 122 million on Saturday.

The sun’s golden rays fall on Goa’s smooth, sandy beaches every evening, magical as ever but strangely quiet and lonely. This holiday season, few visitors are enjoying the celebrated sunsets in the Indian party hotspot.

The global Covid-19 caseload has surpassed 91.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.96 million, according to Johns Hopkins University.