Steps taken to guard against new COVID-19 JN.1 variant
CHINA is taking proactive measures to counter new COVID-19 cases caused by the JN.1 variant of the virus, which is spreading globally, China’s health authority said yesterday.
“China is routinely monitoring COVID-19 infections to determine the trend of infection spread and virus mutation,” said Li Zhengmao, an official with the national administration of disease prevention and control.
Li noted that COVID-19 infections in China are at a low level at present. The number of infections related to the JN.1 is relatively small.
The variant exhibits increased immune escape and spreading capability but does not appear more pathogenic, said Li, adding that current vaccines targeting the XBB variants are still effective against the new variant.
Disease control and prevention authorities will continue to enhance the monitoring and early warning of COVID-19 infections. They will also advance vaccination among key groups, including seniors and patients with underlying health conditions, and ramp up medical preparation against possible waves of infection, especially in rural areas, said Li.
Speaking of the recent wave of respiratory diseases, Peng Zhibin, another administration official, said that multiple pathogens cause these diseases. He added that monitoring results showed that influenza viruses are the pathogen type causing the most cases.
In most provincial-level regions, the influenza outbreak has peaked and will wane in the days to come.
Peng advised the public to pay close attention to the issue of infectious diseases when making plans for the upcoming New Year and Spring Festival holidays. He also called on the public to maintain good personal hygiene and receive vaccination against infectious diseases.
Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last Friday that JN.1 accounts for 39 to 50 percent of cases in the United States as of December 23.
JN.1 was first detected in the United States in September, according to the CDC.
Last Tuesday, the World Health Organization classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest” and said current evidence shows risk to public health was low from the strain.
(Agencies)