[파이낸셜뉴스] USA Today reported on the 13th (local time) that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus is spreading in the United States before the end of the year and is found in one in five new confirmed cases.
According to statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the JN.1 infection rate increased from 8% to 15-29%, and the number of hospitalized patients and deaths remained high.
The CDC explained that this increase in confirmed cases demonstrates that the spread of JN.1 is not only stronger than existing coronaviruses, but also evades the human body’s immune system.
Confirmed cases occur primarily in the midwestern United States and the mid-Atlantic coastal region.
Dr Rebecca Wertz from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health said: “Thanksgiving took place in late November and the number of confirmed cases is estimated to be rapidly increasing as winter begins. There are fears that the spread could be stronger.” .”
The COVID-19 virus has survived by continually mutating like other viruses.
JN.1 was first discovered last September and was included in the Omicron group.
Last year, the original Omicron mutation led to a sharp increase in confirmed cases.
Experts stressed that they were not bothered by the re-emergence of the mutant coronavirus and recommended that pregnant women or the elderly with underlying illnesses wear masks indoors with large crowds.
USA Today reported that there is no evidence yet that JN.1 causes more severe disease than existing mutant coronaviruses, and that existing vaccines or treatments are also effective.
jjyoon@fnnews.com Reporter Jaejun Yoon
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