Here’s what you need to know about the JN.1 subvariant, how the strain might be affecting the current COVID situation in the U.S., and how to stay safe this holiday season.

The JN.1 Variant Is Similar to the BA.2.86 Variant

Actually, the only change between BA.2.86 and JN.1 is in the spike protein.

While there are still a lot of unknowns about the latest Omicron strain, experts expect JN.1 to continue to pick up momentum.

As far as symptoms are concerned, the CDC expects JN.1 to have similar severity and symptoms to other Omicron variants.

Foster shared anecdotal reports from colleges that newer variants, like JN.1, tend to produce more gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain or diarrhea. However, that has not been confirmed by the CDC.

For now, the public health risk caused by JN.1 appears to be similar to other Omicron variants. But, pre-print data from researchers in Japan suggests that JN.1 has the potential to be skilled at evading the immune system.

“Anytime you have a new virus emerge, it has to be better than the old virus,” said Foster. “It’s either better at evading immunity or something about it makes it better at spreading.”

Is JN.1 Driving this Current COVID Spike?

In addition to increases in COVID-related hospitalizations, deaths, emergency room visits, and infections, the U.S. is seeing generally “high” COVID numbers.

Nationally, COVID activity is the highest it’s been so far this year. The risk varies by region—the Northeast and West are seeing lower levels, while the Midwest is currently seeing its second-highest COVID peak ever.

Experts say it’s still too early to tell if JN.1 is to blame for these levels.

The increase in cases could simply be the normal ebb and flow of COVID—it tends to increase and peak in late summer, and then again around the new year, the CDC said.

“We all cluster indoors together at the same time the viruses get introduced,” said Foster, making infection rates for respiratory viruses generally worse in colder months.

However, JN.1’s quick increase raises the question of whether it could be driving an increase in infections going forward.

Cameron explained that the general increase in COVID infections means that the virus is now reaching a wider range of people, many of whom are more vulnerable to severe disease. So even though these numbers are ticking up in tandem with JN.1’s rise, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the variant is more deadly.

While this year’s COVID increase isn’t completely abnormal, experts are still concerned about what the data has shown so far.

“The thing I think is going to be different this year than last year, is people really are not doing any risk mitigation,” Foster said.

As of mid-November, survey data from KFF indicated that just one in five Americans has received the updated COVID shot. A Yahoo News/YouGov poll from August found that only 12% of Americans say they mask most of the time in public.

This, coupled with JN.1 and holiday gatherings, could make this year’s wintertime peak a “perfect storm,” said Foster.

Staying Safe This Holiday Season 

Still, that doesn’t mean it’s completely harmless.

“[A JN.1 infection] might be a mild case, a moderate case, or a case that could put someone in the hospital—that’s really a product of our genetics, our immune system, and our history not only with COVID-19, but with other infections,” said Cameron.

Because of this variability, it’s essential that people do what they can to avoid infection this holiday season.

“It really is this proportion of people in the U.S. [not] keeping up with their booster series that really concerns me,” said Cameron. “It does show a bit of complacency with the virus continuing to evolve against us.”

“The biggest thing people can do is, when they’re in crowded places around a lot of strangers, they wear a mask,” said Foster. In particular, people should consider masking while grocery shopping or traveling, she explained.

In terms of holiday gatherings with friends and family, Foster recommends asking anyone who’s sick to stay home. People don’t need to show a negative test at the door, she said, but it’s best not to power through and attend a gathering while you’re sick.