According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), JN.1 is now the most common COVID-19 variant in the US and globally.
They said in their latest report,
JN.1 remains the most widely circulating variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States and globally,
Based on the most recent CDC data, as of January 20, the variant accounts for over 86 percent of COVID-19 cases in the US.
The severely mutated strain is a descendent of Omicron, notably the “Pirola” variety, BA.2.86, and was first found in the US in September. Moreover, by the end of October, it was responsible for fewer than 0.1 percent of SARS-CoV-2 viruses, although it has since increased.
Director and professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at San Diego State University, Eyal Oren said,
Most likely, if you’re getting COVID right now, you’re getting this particular variant mutation,
Oren added,
Our immune systems have not been able to keep up.
Symptoms of JN.1
The symptoms of the JN.1 variant are similar to the previous ones and include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. In addition to muscle and body aches, headaches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
However, evidence shows that some people are suffering from some different COVID symptoms as well, which also include anxiety and insomnia.
CDC added,
Current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as they do against other variants, by helping prevent severe illness.
