WHO Alerts of New Covid Sub Variant, Spreading Rapidly

A sub variant of the omicron strain of coronavirus has been classified as a “variant of interest” by the world health organization, because of “its rapidly increasing spread”.

Jn.1 has been found in many countries around the world, including India, China, UK and The United States.

WHO says the risk to the public is currently low and current vaccines continue to offer protection.

But it warns covid and other infections could rise this winter.

Respiratory viruses such as flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and childhood pneumonia are also on the rise in the northern hemisphere.

Omicron has been the globally dominant variant for some time.

Read Also:

UN Climate Talks Faces Crisis over Fossil Fuel Backlash

The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently tracking a number of variants of interest linked to omicron – including jn.1.

Since the start of the pandemic, the holiday season has been followed by increased cases of the virus.

Hospitalizations are already on the rise. For the two weeks ending on Dec. 9, there were 23,432 people admitted to hospitals with COVID, a 56% increase from about a month earlier, according to CDC data. Emergency room visits for the virus have been highest among infants and older adults but have also been elevated for young children.

Last week, the CDC issued an advisory to health care providers about low vaccination rates for COVID, flu and respiratory syncytial virus. Only 17% of the country’s population has received the latest COVID booster shot.

The World Health Organization said JN.1 may cause an increase in COVID cases around the world, especially in countries entering winter. But it said the additional public health risk is low.

The countries with the largest proportion of JN.1 infections are France, the U.S., Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom and Sweden, according to the WHO.