That is the 12 months that the COVID-19 pandemic was declared to be now not a world well being emergency.
However though case counts are down in 2023, it isn’t as if the whole lot is again to regular. There may be, for instance, a brand new omicron variant that was first detected in late summer time and has unfold considerably in latest weeks. It is referred to as JN.1, and well being officers have now categorized it as a variant of curiosity. And a continuously requested query is:
How anxious ought to we be about JN.1?
Well being officers should not sounding the alarm. The World Well being Group says the general danger 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 in opposition to extreme sickness and loss of life. Within the U.S., hospital admissions for COVID-19 have been climbing since early November.
The large questions, answered
There have been different urgent COVID questions in 2023. Listed here are among the matters we tackled, beginning with a quandary about this new part of the pandemic:
‘Emergency’ over! Will we unmask and grin? Or regulate 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?
Just a few posts from years previous drew quite a lot of readers in 2023 as nicely:
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 perfect therapy?
