Variant J.N1 Represents Approximately 62% of COVID-19 Cases in America

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated on Friday that "the J.N1 variant of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 represents about 62% of the cases in the United States as of January 5." The CDC added that "the J.N1 variant is now the most prevalent strain in the United States, Europe, and globally, with sharply rising infection rates in Asia." The CDC noted that "there is currently no evidence that this variant causes more severe symptoms and that existing vaccines are expected to provide protection against it." Furthermore, the CDC reported that hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased by 20.4% in the week ending December 30. The World Health Organization has classified J.N1 as a "variant of interest," stating that "current evidence suggests that the risks of this variant to public health are low."