There is a decrease in the predominant COVID-19 strain currently in use. Someone received a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, on December 20, 2021, in Federal Way, Wash.
For the first time in months, the most common COVID-19 variant circulating in the United States is beginning to noticeably decline.
In the last two weeks, estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that 86% of new COVID-19 infections were caused by JN.1, which started to spread in the United States late last year.
It is a decrease from the 90% of new cases at the beginning of March. Previous to its rapid expansion, JN.1, a close relative of BA.2.86, was the most common variant in the United States, contributing to infections in the autumn and winter.
Nevertheless, JN.1.13, a subvariant, is now taking its place.
Estimates from the CDC show that JN.1.13 has been on the rise recently, going from approximately 2% of new cases last month to approximately 11% over the last two weeks.
Less dramatically, JN.1.18, another descendant of JN.1, is also increasing. During the previous two weeks, less than 2% of new infections were caused by it.
In spite of the spread of various sub-variants, COVID-19 is declining in the majority of the United States. Although many parts of the country still have “elevated” levels of respiratory illness, the most important coronavirus indicators are starting to decline, according to the CDC.
For instance, weekly COVID-19 hospitalizations decreased by almost 14% last week, falling below 10,000 new admissions for the first time since July 2023.
Recent data released by the CDC indicates that life expectancy in the United States increased in 2022 as a result of a decrease in COVID-19 mortality.
Even though the rise is a reversal from the two years prior, less than half of the time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic is still accounted for.
