The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday (Friday) that the JN1 variant, a new strain of the coronavirus (Covid-19), represented about 62 percent of infections in the US as of January 5.
The JN1 variant is now the most common strain in the US, Europe and the world, with infection rates rising sharply in Asia, the center added.
It’s the holiday season but it’s also respiratory virus season! You can take everyday actions to protect yourself & others from getting #flu, #COVID19, or #RSV.
CDC’s new page can tell you how these viruses are spreading & what to do if you feel sick. https://t.co/CZkqpJ5lKo pic.twitter.com/U2FmDuGzYV
— CDC (@CDCgov) December 4, 2023
The CDC also reported that there is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe symptoms and that current vaccines are expected to increase protection against it.
In the week ending December 30, hospital admissions due to Covid-19 increased by 20.4 percent.
In December, the World Health Organization classified JN1 as a ‘variant of concern’ and said that available evidence suggests that the public health risks of this variant are low.
