That is the yr that the COVID-19 pandemic was declared to be now not a worldwide well being emergency.
However though case counts are down in 2023, it isn’t as if all the pieces is again to regular. There may be, for instance, a brand new omicron variant that was first detected in late summer season and has unfold considerably in latest weeks. It is referred to as JN.1, and well being officers have now labeled it as a variant of curiosity. And a often requested query is:
How fearful ought to we be about JN.1?
Well being officers will not be sounding the alarm. The World Well being Group says the general threat is low.
Based mostly on the restricted proof, JN.1 appears akin to different circulating omicron variants and does not seem to trigger extra extreme illness.
COVID vaccines, together with the up to date booster, proceed to supply safety towards extreme sickness and dying. Within the U.S., hospital admissions for COVID-19 have been climbing since early November.
The massive questions, answered
There have been different urgent COVID questions in 2023. Listed below are a number of the matters we tackled, beginning with a quandary about this new part of the pandemic:
‘Emergency’ over! Can we unmask and grin? Or modify our worries?
Is it OK to get a COVID shot and a flu shot and even an RSV shot on the identical time?
How do I keep away from catching COVID whereas flying in 2023?
Why do some folks get a COVID an infection but present no signs?
A couple of posts from years previous drew lots of readers in 2023 as effectively:
Are you able to take a look at constructive for COVID from getting a vaccine/booster?
Does a faint line on a self-test imply I am barely contagious?
Is paxlovid the most effective therapy?