Rabat – A new COVID-19 variant has surfaced, named JN.1, belonging to the Omicron lineage, specifically the BA.2.86 variant.
JN.1 is distinguished by a significant number of mutations, exhibiting a heightened contagiousness surpassing its predecessors. However, it appears to be less severe, according to doctors.
Despite being classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “variant of interest,” no increased signs of aggressiveness or heightened danger have been observed compared to other variants, Doctor Tayeb Hamdi told SNRT News.
Symptoms associated with the new variant remain consistent with previous COVID-19 cases, including fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Notably, a distinctive feature of this variant is the more frequent recurrence of loss of taste and smell, along with potential skin and eye symptoms.
Hamdi highlighted a major concern regarding JN.1, emphasizing its ability to evade immunity. Vaccinated individuals or those who have previously contracted COVID-19 are not entirely immune to this variant.
The doctor highlighted the need for heightened vigilance, especially among vulnerable populations such as those aged over 65, individuals with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the JN.1 subvariant of the Omicron coronavirus now accounts for 44.2% of COVID-19 cases in the United States.
This rapid increase from 20% just days ago has raised concerns, with JN.1 making up nearly 57% of new cases in the Northeast.
