Scientists are narrowing in on the fastest-growing coronavirus variants as they learn more about the tensions that coincided with rising case numbers as Americans headed for the holidays.
Based on , the JN.1 variant currently accounts for more than one-fifth of all cases. Friday's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. In the latest information from the CDC Nowcast reporting period, cases with this mutation account for 15% to 29% of coronavirus infections. Previously, this variant accounted for an estimated 8% of cases.
This increase suggests that JN.1 may be more transmissible and better able to evade people's immune systems. the CDC said. The number of hospitalizations and deaths, indicators of the spread of the new coronavirus, continue to rise, and the number of infected people is increasing worldwide. Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. This follows a pattern of increased respiratory illnesses during the winter months, when people stay indoors or visit friends and family for the holidays.
“The story here is that JN.1 may be slightly more contagious,” Dr. Rebecca Wurtz, a professor at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health, told USA TODAY. What caused him to jump like that? ”
BA.2.86 variant:This new coronavirus variant was rare. The number of infections has tripled in two weeks, according to CDC estimates.
There is no evidence that JN.1 causes more severe disease compared to other circulating variants. The latest coronavirus vaccines and treatments are expected to be effective against JN.1.
The COVID-19 virus, like all viruses, is constantly mutating and will undoubtedly create more variants to survive. JN.1 was first detected in the United States in September. Previously classified as BA.2.86, a pyrola descendant of the omicron family, some researchers feared it could pose a risk from the start, but the CDC estimates that the number of cases has increased recently. is decreasing. In contrast, the original Omicron variant overwhelmed hospital systems in 2022.
So far, JN.1 doesn't seem to pose any major risks. Vaccination and previous infection may also help reduce the risk of severe illness from JN.1.
Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, likened JN.1 and other subvariants to Omicron's children and grandchildren.
“It's going to continue to be an advantage,” Schaffner said. “We expect it to be passed on to other grandchildren and subspecies in the future.”
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Schaffner recommends getting vaccinated as soon as possible. Ideally, people should do this before going shopping, attending religious services, traveling to visit family, and visiting older relatives who may be more seriously ill with COVID-19. should be vaccinated before. For older adults, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women, it is recommended that masks be worn indoors in crowded areas as an extra layer of protection.
Experts stressed that the increase in the number of variants is not a cause for panic.
“There are things that are game-changing that we've seen during the pandemic,” said Dr. John Moore, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. “This wasn't one of them.”
Eduardo Cuevas covers health and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can contact him at: [email protected].
