A new Covid variant that has spread around different countries across the world has been causing concern for health officials that the NHS may struggle to cope with the pressure it could create.
Variant JN.1, which is a descendant of the Pirola strain, has been spotted in a number of countries including the UK and Spain. It’s thought that it was first identified back in September this year.
The strain is now officially being tracked by the UK Health Secretary Agency (UKHSA), and experts have warned that cases could continue to rise over the next few weeks.
Although overall Covid cases do remain low, there are concerns that they will start to build up again during the festive period when more and more people are spending time at indoor gatherings.
However, the threat of becoming seriously ill from catching Covid has been slashed thanks to vaccinations.
What is the JN.1 variant?
JN.1 is a sub-lineage of the BA.2.86 Omicron variant, which is often referred to as the ‘Pirola’ variant.
It has one specific mutation in its spike protein compared to BA.2.86, and the spike is what causes the virus to cause infections.
Dr Meaghan Kall, an epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said JN.1 has a weekly estimated growth rate advantage of 84.2 per cent. This means that it’s spreading faster than any other strain seen in the past eight months, according to the expert.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, she wrote: ‘It seems likely we must now add variant pressures to the forecast of a winter Covid wave.’
The virus is more likely to spread throughout indoor spaces, which is why officials are concerned that more Covid cases may appear in the run-up to Christmas.
What are the symptoms of JN.1?
JN.1 is thought to create symptoms similar to other existing variants, but with the possible addition of a few more.
Dr Chris Papadopoulos, Principal Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire, said: “With JN.1, additional symptoms such as diarrhoea and headaches have been noted.”
However, it’s worth noting that there’s still much unknown about the symptoms of newer strains, according to the Express.
According to the NHS, you should try to stay at home and avoid school or work if you have a high temperature or experience any of the symptoms below.
Full list of symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Meanwhile, health experts are also concerned about the effect that common winter bugs may have on the NHS as we head further into winter.
Illnesses such as the flu, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are already surging, according to NHS data.
Prof Julian Redhead, NHS England’s director for emergency care, said this was ‘no surprise’ due to people gathering indoors for winter celebrations.
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Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
