That is the yr that the COVID-19 pandemic used to be declared to be now not a world well being emergency.

However even supposing case counts are down in 2023, it is not as though the whole thing is again to customary. There’s, for instance, a brand new omicron variant that used to be first detected in overdue summer season and has unfold considerably in contemporary weeks. It is referred to as JN.1, and well being officers have now categorized it as a variant of hobby. And a steadily requested query is:

How frightened must we be about JN.1?

Well being officers don’t seem to be sounding the alarm. The Global Well being Group says the full possibility is low.

In line with the restricted proof, JN.1 turns out similar to different circulating omicron variants and does not seem to motive extra critical illness.

COVID vaccines, together with the up to date booster, proceed to offer coverage in opposition to critical sickness and loss of life. Within the U.S., clinic admissions for COVID-19 had been hiking since early November.

The massive questions, replied

There were different urgent COVID questions in 2023. Listed below are one of the crucial subjects we tackled, beginning with a dilemma about this new section of the pandemic:

‘Emergency’ over! Can we unmask and grin? Or alter our worries?

Is it OK to get a COVID shot and a flu shot or even an RSV shot on the identical time?

How do I steer clear of catching COVID whilst flying in 2023?

Why do a little folks get a COVID an infection but display no signs?

A couple of posts from years previous drew numerous readers in 2023 as smartly:

Are you able to examine sure for COVID from getting a vaccine/booster?

Does a faint line on a self-test imply I am slightly contagious?

Is paxlovid the most efficient remedy?