JN.1 Variant Drives New COVID-19 Surge in U.S.

Despite increased cases, hospitalizations remain lower than previous year; vaccination rates lag behind.

JN.1, the new dominant variant of COVID-19, is causing another wave of infections in the U.S., with cases potentially as high as last winter.
Despite the surge, fewer people are being hospitalized compared to the previous year, with the CDC reporting 29,000 COVID hospitalizations in the week before Christmas, compared to 39,000 the previous year.
COVID-19 remains one of the leading causes of death and the top driver of respiratory virus hospitalizations, exacerbating the strain on hospitals also dealing with flu and RSV cases.
Many Americans are not up to date on their coronavirus vaccines, with only 19% having received the latest version of the vaccine that offers better protection against the JN.1 variant.
More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses.