New COVID Variant Makes A Holiday Appearance: What To Know In CA

ACROSS CALIFORNIA — A new COVID-19 omicron subvariant, JN.1, is responsible for an increasing share of coronavirus hospitalizations in California and the surrounding region as families gather for the winter holidays.

The new variant is emerging as another, HV.1, remains dominant, according to public health officials. For the two weeks ending Dec. 9, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showed COVID-19 hospitalizations were up 1.55 percent nationwide. JN.1, which emerged in August, represented more than 21 percent of new cases, but HV.1 was still the dominant coronavirus strain in the United States, causing more than 29 percent of cases.

In the region made up of California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau, the JN.1 strain represented nearly 16 percent of new coronavirus cases for the two-week period ending Dec. 9 while HV.1 was the strain responsible for just over 30 percent of new cases. The EG.5 strain represented 12.1 percent of cases and HK.3 was to blame for 1o.5 percent of new cases, data showed.

Importantly, fewer people were hospitalized across the country for COVID than at this time last year, and nowhere near the peak of 150,650 hospitalizations on Jan. 15, 2022.

In California, 2,449 people were hospitalized with COVID in the week ending Dec. 9. That works out to be just over six new COVID-related hospitalizations per 100,000 California residents.

Still, public health officials are worried about JN.1 as the number of people who have gotten the updated vaccine remains low. The CDC expects the booster to protect against the JN.1, and new COVID tests should detect it and other strains.

CDC data on vaccine coverage in California showed that 20 percent of Golden State residents 18 and older had received the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccination.

The CDC says there’s no evidence the symptoms of JN.1 are more severe than for other strains, and the severity of illness usually depends on the person’s immunity. While symptoms don’t change much as the virus mutates, this one in particular evolves quickly, raising concern it may be better at evading immune systems, according to Yale Medicine.

The variant evolved from BA.2.86, or Pirola, an Omicron variant. Noting the number of changes to its spike proteins — more than 30 — scientists worried last summer it might mutate beyond the capacity of vaccines and antibodies to fight it.

The first U.S. cases of JN.1 were reported in September. The number of cases increased from 3.5 percent in mid-November to the current 21 percent, according to the CDC estimates.

The increase comes as two other respiratory illnesses, seasonal influenza and RSV, are also increasing hospitalizations. The best thing families can do as they gather for the holidays is to make sure everyone is vaccinated although it usually takes a couple of weeks for protection to develop.

Also, experts advise, people who have symptoms should stay home. If that’s not possible, consider masking. Hosts should arrange seating to allow for social distancing if possible, encourage hand-washing and strategically place hand sanitizer and tissues in areas where guests will be gathering.