Health Authorities Confirm that the ‘JN.1’ Variant of COVID-19 is Circulating in Colombia

The agency said that in a new genomic study, the first cases of the new omicron variant, identified as JN.1, were detected since the week of December 24.

New Cases of the Omicron Variant in Colombia

In this regard, the director of the INS, Giovanny Rubiano, expressed in a statement that “even with the circulation of these variants in Colombia, including the new JN.1 covid variant, no greater severity of the disease, nor greater hospitalization or deaths is observed. “.

The information added that according to the latest INS genomic surveillance report, dated today, it is confirmed that the circulation of the different Ómicron variants continues in the country, such as the XBB identified last March.

Declaration of Interest by WHO on Variant JN.1

The Institute recalled that JN.1 is declared of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO), given that it is the dominant variant in the United States and responsible for the peak of infections that occurs in the northern hemisphere in winter.

It should be remembered that the omicron variants “are highly infectious, but with a low capacity to cause illness, hospitalization and death,” the Institute said.

He recalled that the country registers the expected increase in cases of respiratory infection that normally occurs during the last quarter of the year and that increases in December and January, due to greater social interaction during the holidays, climatic phenomena, and the influx of travelers from Europe and the United States.

Expected Increase in Cases in the Holiday Season

In this direction, the INS said that in comparison with the figures from November 5 to December 2, when 1,066 cases of COVID-19 were registered, for an incidence of 2.36% per 100,000 inhabitants, an increase in the number of infections and the incidence of coronavirus cases.

Also read: A new metabolic surgery mitigates the effects of diabetes in patients from Mexico

From December 3 to 30, there were 1,647 reported cases and an incidence of 3.64% per 100,000 people. “This increase, however, is an estimated or expected growth for this time of year,” maintains the Institute, which also indicated that in addition to COVID-19, the country presents infections due to other seasonal respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial, enterovirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus and influenza.