2025 Oct 29, 00:05
As the holiday season comes to a close and Covid-19 cases begin to rise, a new variant known as JN.1 has emerged as the predominant strain spreading throughout the United States. Originating from the variant BA.2.86, JN.1 was first identified in the United States in September. By mid-December, it accounted for 44 percent of nationwide Covid cases, a significant increase from its initial prevalence of 7 percent in late November, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This rapid surge is not unexpected, as variants typically take time to gain traction before rapidly spreading and giving way to newer variants. The recent surge in cases suggests that JN.1 may possess heightened transmissibility or better evasion mechanisms against our immune systems compared to other circulating variants
A report from the C.D.C. published on December 22nd supports this notion, highlighting JN.1's potential to pose a greater threat. The agency reiterates that Covid-19 remains a serious public health concern, particularly for individuals who have consistently been at high risk of severe illness. This includes older adults, infants, those with compromised immune systems or chronic medical conditions, and pregnant individuals.