JN.1 Variant Takes Lead in COVID Cases, CDC Confirms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) disclosed on Friday that the JN.1 COVID subvariant constitutes around 62% of cases in the U.S. as of January 5, as per the agency’s latest projections.
Dominance of JN.1 Variant
Identified as an offspring of BA.2.86, the JN.1 variant has emerged as the predominant variant both within the United States and on a global scale, according to the CDC’s findings.
The variant holds significant dominance across Europe and is rapidly gaining prevalence in Asia, the CDC further highlighted.
Rising Prevalence and Increased Projections
The CDC’s updated projections indicate an increase in the estimated range, which surged from 39% to 50% of cases in the U.S. as of December 23 to the current prediction of 55% to 68% attributed to the JN.1 variant.
Vaccine Efficacy and Disease Severity
Addressing concerns, the CDC clarified that there is presently no substantial evidence indicating that JN.1 results in more severe disease outcomes. Additionally, the agency affirmed the expectation that existing vaccines should provide enhanced protection against the JN.1 variant.
Impact on Hospitalizations and Global Concerns
The CDC also reported a significant rise of 20.4% in COVID-19 hospitalizations for the week concluding on December 30, signifying an escalating impact amid the variant’s prevalence.
In December, the World Health Organization categorized JN.1 as a “variant of interest,” emphasizing a low current risk to public health associated with this strain, based on available evidence.
