A new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is rising to prominence in the U.S. as winter illness season approaches its peak: JN.1, yet another descendent of Omicron.
JN.1 was first detected in the U.S. in September but spread slowly at first. In recent weeks, however, it has accounted for a growing percentage of test samples sequenced by labs affiliated with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassing 20% during the two-week period ending Dec. 9. By some projections, it will be responsible for at least half of new infections in the U.S. before December ends.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Dec. 19 declared JN.1 a variant of interest due to its "rapidly increasing spread." But the agency has not labeled JN.1 a variant of concern—that is, a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with potential for increased severity; decreased vaccine effectiveness; or substantial impacts on health care delivery.
Here’s what to know about JN.1.
Is JN.1 more infectious or severe than other SARS-CoV-2 variants?
JN.1 is closely related to BA.2.86, a fellow Omicron descendent that first popped up in the U.S. this past summer. The two variants are nearly identical, according to the CDC, except for a single difference in their spike proteins, the part of the virus that allows it to invade human cells.
The fact that JN.1 is responsible for a growing portion of infections suggests it is either more contagious or better at getting past our bodies’ immune defenses than previous iterations of the virus, the CDC says. But right now there is no evidence that it causes more severe disease than other viral strains, even though it may cause a bump in transmission, the CDC says. Primary symptoms are likely to be the same as those from previous variants: a sore or scratchy throat, fatigue, headache, congestion, coughing, and fever.
Do vaccines, tests, and treatments work against JN.1?
So far, the signs are positive. COVID-19 tests and treatments are expected to be effective against JN.1, the CDC says. And even though the latest COVID-19 booster shot was designed to target the XBB.1.5 variant, preliminary research suggests it also generates antibodies that work against JN.1, albeit fewer of them. (As ever, vaccines will not totally block JN.1 infections, but should reduce the likelihood of death and severe disease.)............................................
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The best defenses against JN.1—and other variants of SARS-CoV-2—remain getting vaccinated, masking in crowded indoor areas, and limiting exposure to people who may have been infected.
Well Bill, for me it was trying to fly a home made kite with no tail....ran my butt off trying to get that thing up and started reprating evry bad word I ever heard. It still would not FLY!!!
I keep trying to hit that rock into the hole with a stick.
Since I don’t swing as hard now, I have tried bigger & bigger sticks.
Went to different types of sticks, and even shiny new sticks.
Although I really look like I know what I am doing with my shiny new sticks, they hit pretty much the same as the old sticks.
When I think it is about time to give up hitting rocks into little holes, I hit a rock good, and it goes into the hole.
I remember that hit instead of all the bad hits and am good for a few more months.
Swearing and talking to the rock does seem to help.
You golfers bring so much joy into my life. Even though I don't play my daughter, granddaughter, son in law and brothers, cousins, and nephews all do. It's great to listen them replay every hole they played!
Lucy posted something about getting together in September but I can't find the rest of the announcement or any of the particulars. Has anybody else seen the announcement?
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