The CDC (Center for Disease Control) of the USA, published only on January 5, 2024 an information note, where it states that the activity of COVID-19 continues to increase as its prevalence subvariant JN.1 rises.

Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine of the EKPA Theodora Psaltopoulou, biologist Panagiota Zacharakis and doctor Yiannis Danasis, report that coming from BA.2.86, the subvariant JN.1 is now the most widely circulating variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States and worldwide. There is currently no evidence that JN.1 causes more serious illness.

By January 5, 2024, JN.1 is estimated to account for approximately 62% (range 55-68%) of all SARS-COV-2 variants in the US, an increase from the estimated prevalence of 44% (range 39-50%) two weeks ago. The CDC is also seeing an increase in the prevalence of JN.1 in international travelers and viral sewage levels, as well as in most regions worldwide. The new ones diagnoses COVID-19, the hospitalizations and the deaths they have increase in recent weeks, but COVID-19 infections are now causing more severe illness less often than earlier in the pandemic. Infection levels measured using sewage and diagnostic test positivity, which capture both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, are higher than last year (currently estimated to be ~27% and ~17% higher, respectively) . The sewage virus levels, in particular, have risen rapidly in recent weeks.

Additionally, emergency department visit rates have also increased, but to a lesser extent and remain 21% lower than last year. In addition, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is 22% lower than last year, and the rate of overall deaths related to COVID-19 is 38% lower.

This change in the relationship between infection levels and disease severity is associated with greater levels of immune protection provided by vaccines, prior infection, or both. More than 97% of people have natural or vaccine-induced antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). This immune protection can wane over time, but tends to last longer to prevent serious illness than to prevent infections.

According to the CDC, it is important to remember that COVID-19 and its long-term effects, such as long Covid, remain significant threats to public health, especially for people who are at higher risk of serious illness.

Some more statistics and instructions:

– Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased in the US by 20.4% in the week ending December 30, 2023. During the same period, deaths increased by 12.5%, with deaths from COVID-19 accounting for 3.6 % of total deaths in the United States.

– Wastewater viral activity levels, an important tool used to detect increases in community transmission of COVID-19, are currently high and increasing in all regions. On December 25, 2023, 66% of sewage samples had JN.1 as the dominant subvariant, up from 58% the previous week.

– JN1.1 is not only growing in the United States but also worldwide. It is currently the most widespread subvariant worldwide, being the dominant subvariant in Europe and skyrocketing in Asia.

– According to the CDC, not enough Americans are vaccinated, as only 8% of children and 19% of adults have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Only 38% of adults age 65 and older report having received this vaccine, which is concerning given that they are at higher risk of hospitalization from COVID-19. Updated vaccines for COVID-19 are expected to increase protection against JN.1, as they do against other subvariants, helping to prevent severe disease.

The following actions can help protect you and your loved ones from severe COVID-19:

– Check if you have respiratory symptoms or if you are exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

– Talk to your doctor about treatment if you test positive and are at higher risk for severe COVID-19.

– Improving your indoor air quality is one of the best ways to prevent the spread.

– Learn more about other ways to reduce the spread, such as wearing a mask, washing your hands often, and increasing social distancing to reduce crowding.