New Delhi reported the first case of the JN.1 sub-variant on Wednesday, confirmed by city Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj while speaking with conversation with news agency ANI. The detection of the first case of JN.1 occurred in the capital city shortly after authorities sent multiple samples for genome sequencing, with one of them testing positive for the new variant.

“Out of the 3 samples sent for genome sequencing, one is JN.1 and two are Omicron,” Bhardwaj said. Earlier today, the Delhi Health Department reported nine new cases of Covid-19 in the city within the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to 35. Unfortunately, one individual with comorbidities passed away on Wednesday, with Covid not identified as the primary cause.

“The man was not from Delhi and was referred to a private hospital recently. He had multiple comorbidities and the Covid finding was incidental. The sample of the man has been sent for genome sequencing and a report is awaited,” explained an official to news agency PTI.