The new COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 started a new scare among the masses with growing numbers of cases all around the world. The scare was so much that in some parts of the world, people were reminded of old pandemic days.&nbsp;

The latest figures from England’s current Covid wave show that people are less likely to fall&nbsp;too sick to be hospitalised, as compared to previous waves.&nbsp;

It means people who are infected by COVID-19 recently have less to worry about than at any other time during the pandemic, Paul Hunter at the University of East Anglia in the UK told the NewScientist.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/life-on-earth-might-have-originated-in-hot-springs-billions-of-years-ago-says-study-680411">Hot springs served as catalyst for life on Earth billions of years ago, study finds</a>

<h2>JN.1 variant might be the mildest form of Covid-19&nbsp;</h2>

JN.1 subvariant which was first detected in August in Luxembourg was another version of the deadly Omicron variant. It then spread across many European countries quickly and by November it became quite evident by genetic sequencing that JN.1 was rapidly taking over.&nbsp;

These observations led to concerns over JN.1 that it might start a new Covid wave that would be even deadlier than the previous ones. At this time, hospitals in Europe have already been facing a high turnout of patients with seasonal respiratory viruses. This encouraged hospitals in Europe to take preventive measures way before it was established whether JN.1 is as deadly as Omicron.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/south-aegean-volcanic-arc-was-far-more-dangerous-and-explosive-suggests-new-evidence-680464">An eruption over 520,000 years ago shows South Aegean Volcanic Arc was far more dangerous</a>

Fortunately, data later suggested that the fear of a bigger wave because of JN.1 variant is not true.&nbsp;

<h2>Some numbers to prove&nbsp;</h2>

To put things into perspective, the number of Covid-19 infected people in England amid the current wave seems to have peaked in late December, at about 4.5 per cent of the population, as per a large, regular survey by the Office for National Statistics and the UK Health Security Agency. This is similar to that seen during the Covid-19 wave that peaked in December 2022.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/many-us-cities-could-empty-out-by-2100-become-ghost-cities-due-to-population-drop-study-680528">Many US cities could empty out by 2100, become 'ghost cities' due to population drop: Study</a>

Yet the number of Covid-19 infected people being admitted to hospitals in England seems to have peaked this winter at just over a third of the equivalent figure from 2022. The number was 3300 a year ago in early January, while during the same time in 2024, only 1300 people were hospitalised.&nbsp;

It is unclear whether the fall in severity is because JN.1 is milder than other variants or if people just have more immunity to Covid-19 now due to past infections and vaccinations, “I think immunity is probably playing a big role, but it may be that the latest variant is also less virulent,” says Hunter.

(With inputs from agencies)

The new COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 started a new scare among the masses with growing numbers of cases all around the world. The scare was so much that in some parts of the world, people were reminded of old pandemic days.

The new COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1 started a new scare among the masses with growing numbers of cases all around the world. The scare was so much that in some parts of the world, people were reminded of old pandemic days. The latest figures from England’s current Covid wave show that people are less likely to fall too sick to be hospitalised, as compared to previous waves. It means people who are infected by COVID-19 recently have less to worry about than at any other time during the pandemic, Paul Hunter at the University of East Anglia in the UK told the NewScientist. Also Read | Hot springs served as catalyst for life on Earth billions of years ago, study finds JN.1 variant might be the mildest form of Covid-19 JN.1 subvariant which was first detected in August in Luxembourg was another version of the deadly Omicron variant. It then spread across many European countries quickly and by November it became quite evident by genetic sequencing that JN.1 was rapidly taking over. These observations led to concerns over JN.1 that it might start a new Covid wave that would be even deadlier than the previous ones. At this time, hospitals in Europe have already been facing a high turnout of patients with seasonal respiratory viruses. This encouraged hospitals in Europe to take preventive measures way before it was established whether JN.1 is as deadly as Omicron. Also Read | An eruption over 520,000 years ago shows South Aegean Volcanic Arc was far more dangerous Fortunately, data later suggested that the fear of a bigger wave because of JN.1 variant is not true. Some numbers to prove To put things into perspective, the number of Covid-19 infected people in England amid the current wave seems to have peaked in late December, at about 4.5 per cent of the population, as per a large, regular survey by the Office for National Statistics and the UK Health Security Agency. This is similar to that seen during the Covid-19 wave that peaked in December 2022. Also Read | Many US cities could empty out by 2100, become 'ghost cities' due to population drop: Study Yet the number of Covid-19 infected people being admitted to hospitals in England seems to have peaked this winter at just over a third of the equivalent figure from 2022. The number was 3300 a year ago in early January, while during the same time in 2024, only 1300 people were hospitalised. It is unclear whether the fall in severity is because JN.1 is milder than other variants or if people just have more immunity to Covid-19 now due to past infections and vaccinations, “I think immunity is probably playing a big role, but it may be that the latest variant is also less virulent,” says Hunter. (With inputs from agencies)

JN.1 Covid sub-variant might be milder than earlier thought, experts say

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> variant first detected in India has been classified as being "of concern".

"There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of the B.1.617," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's lead on coronavirus, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-the-who-feeding-vaccine-hesitancy-384187/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"As such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level."&nbsp;

She also said that early studies show the B.1.617 variant, first detected in India in October, has "reduced neutralisation," meaning that the antibodies have less impacted the strain.&nbsp;

However, the global agency stressed that it is too early to say that that the variant has more resistance to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-cases-plateauing-worldwide-says-world-health-organization-384162">COVID-19 cases plateauing worldwide, says World Health Organization</a>

"Based on current data, the COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at preventing disease and death in people infected with this variant," the WHO said in a statement.&nbsp;

WHO's weekly epidemiological update on Tuesday will provide more information on this variant, Van Kerkhove said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, India continues to battle a new wave of coronavirus that has challenged the country's health infrastructure and raised global concerns.&nbsp;

The country is reporting more than 350,000 daily cases for several days and often is witnessing record infections too, with many experts suggesting that the B.1.617 variant could be behind the massive surge.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said the coronavirus variant first detected in India has been classified as being "of concern". "There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of the B.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said the coronavirus variant first detected in India has been classified as being "of concern". "There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of the B.1.617," Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's lead on coronavirus, was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. Watch | "As such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level." She also said that early studies show the B.1.617 variant, first detected in India in October, has "reduced neutralisation," meaning that the antibodies have less impacted the strain. However, the global agency stressed that it is too early to say that that the variant has more resistance to coronavirus vaccines. Also read | COVID-19 cases plateauing worldwide, says World Health Organization "Based on current data, the COVID-19 vaccines remain effective at preventing disease and death in people infected with this variant," the WHO said in a statement. WHO's weekly epidemiological update on Tuesday will provide more information on this variant, Van Kerkhove said. Meanwhile, India continues to battle a new wave of coronavirus that has challenged the country's health infrastructure and raised global concerns. The country is reporting more than 350,000 daily cases for several days and often is witnessing record infections too, with many experts suggesting that the B.1.617 variant could be behind the massive surge.

WHO lists Covid strain first detected in India as 'variant of concern'

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JN.1 Covid sub-variant might be milder than earlier thought, experts say

WHO lists Covid strain first detected in India as 'variant of concern'