Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the JN.1 COVID-19 subvariant is rapidly spreading across the country, constituting approximately 15 to 29 percent of cases as of December 8. The variant, originating from the BA.2.86 lineage of the Omicron sub-variant, is now the second-most common variant in the U.S., following the HV.1 variant. Despite its rapid growth, the CDC states that there is currently no evidence suggesting increased health risks or severity associated with JN.1.
The CDC highlights that the JN.1 variant may be either more transmissible or better at evading immune responses, contributing to its continued growth. The agency also notes that existing COVID-19 treatments and tests are believed to be effective against JN.1. However, the extent to which JN.1 contributes to hospitalizations is unclear.
Symptoms of JN.1 are reported to be similar to other Omicron variants, including cough, shortness of breath, fever or chills, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea. There is no evidence indicating that JN.1 causes new symptoms.
Additionally, the CDC reports elevated levels of respiratory illnesses across at least 15 states, with high or very high levels of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, or the common cold. While COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased, they have not reached levels seen in previous surges. Flu hospitalizations are on the rise, with the CDC recording an increase in new admissions. Despite concerns about pediatric pneumonia cases, the CDC director reassures that current transmission rates are considered typical.