This article was adapted from a piece by Hey Boise’s Blake Hunter.
It’s been almost four years since the original strain of COVID-19 mutated, taking its tour through the Greek alphabet. Now, there’s a new dominant strain: JN.1.
The Progression of JN.1
The new strain is fueling a spike in cases in the U.S., where it accounts for about 60% of confirmed infections. And with cold weather driving people indoors, JN.1 is perfectly aligned with peak respiratory virus season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, national hospital admissions for COVID were up 20% in the last week of December and remain high.
What’s special about this strain?
- So far, it looks like JN.1 causes similarly severe infections compared to other variants — no better, no worse.
- However, it has a spike protein mutation that helps it avoid antibody detection, which has likely contributed to its rapid spread, according to Yale Medicine.
- Part of what makes new strains dangerous is our lack of knowledge about them, but more research will be coming out about JN.1 regularly.
COVID tests. (Tang Ming Tung/Getty Images)
Vaccines & Testing
Even with its spike protein mutation, tests, treatments, and vaccines all seem to work with the new strain. “The JN.1 variant doesn’t change how we can protect ourselves and our communities,” the CDC wrote in December.
Get vaccinated now if you haven’t gotten boosted lately. While 80% of D.C. residents have received the primary vaccine series, less than 30% have received the latest booster.
Test for JN.1 if you’ve interacted with someone who’s been infected, or if you have any of the common COVID symptoms: sore throat, congestion, fatigue, muscle aches, fever, loss of taste and/or smell, or cough.
D.C. libraries have free COVID tests again, and the federal government began offering four free at-home COVID tests in late November.
Treat your COVID infection by talking to a healthcare provider, and see if treatments like Paxlovid, available at many local pharmacies, could help.
Let’s keep each other safe and healthy this winter!
