The highly contagious JN.1 subvariant continues to spread across the UK and is now responsible for almost two thirds of all new Covid cases, figures show.
The number of JN.1 infections has risen sharply in recent weeks, from 4 percent of Covid cases in the UK at the start of November to 65 percent on December 30, according to the latest COG-UK data.
This, along with Christmas celebrations, is fueling the current wave of the virus, which has grown so quickly that scientists say it will be almost as big as previous records and could even reach record levels in Britain next week. So.
“The rapid rise in cases of the JN.1 variant in the UK and around the world is another reminder that the pandemic is far from over. “JN.1 is one of the most immune-evading variants to date and is likely to be the lineage from which new variants will emerge,” Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at the University of Warwick, told IPS. I.
“We can expect more people to suffer from JN.1 infection in the coming weeks as indoor congregate living increases due to cold weather and students returning to school.” More infections mean more days off and more hospitalizations.
“The good news is that early data suggests that the updated booster vaccination provides some protection against serious JN.1 infections. But the problem is that most people have not received that booster vaccination and their immunity is waning.”
The current record number of Covid cases, according to the ONS, was set in April 2022, when 7.6% of the UK population became infected with the virus, followed by January 2022, when 6.9% were infected.
By comparison, on December 13, 2023, 4.3 percent were infected with the virus, and the numbers have likely increased significantly since then, to the point where they are likely to reach or even exceed previous peaks.
Although JN.1 is more infectious than the dozen or so other Covid sub-variants currently circulating in the UK, there is no evidence it is more serious – although all sub-variants can cause severe illness, long-term Covid-19 illness or death, scientists warn. .
said Rowland Kao from the University of Edinburgh I: “While it is reassuring that we have no evidence that JN.1 causes more severe infection, the fact that it dominates new cases means the burden on the healthcare system is likely greater than if this variant did not exist.”
“Although recent booster jabs are still considered protective, people should pay particular attention to contact with people at risk, even if they have recently had booster jabs, because we know protection is not 100%.” It remains important that eligible people receive their booster vaccination.”
Scientists warned last week that Covid cases could reach a new record by mid-January after the highly contagious JN.1 subvariant became the dominant strain by Christmas.
The warnings come as the latest available survey of winter infections by the ONS and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), published on December 21, showed that as of December 13, around 2.54 million people had Covid – more than double the number. than at the beginning. month.
The recent rise in Covid cases has also led to warnings that more than 100,000 Britons are at risk of contracting Covid-19 in the coming weeks.
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.