That is the 12 months that the COVID-19 pandemic was once declared to be now not a world well being emergency.
However even supposing case counts are down in 2023, it isn’t as though the whole thing is again to commonplace. There’s, for instance, a brand new omicron variant that was once first detected in overdue summer season and has unfold considerably in fresh weeks. It is known as JN.1, and well being officers have now categorised it as a variant of hobby. And a often requested query is:
How fearful must we be about JN.1?
Well being officers aren’t sounding the alarm. The International Well being Group says the full chance is low.
In keeping with the restricted proof, JN.1 turns out related to different circulating Omicron variants and does not seem to purpose extra serious illness.
COVID vaccines, together with the up to date booster, proceed to offer coverage towards serious sickness and loss of life. Within the U.S., sanatorium admissions for COVID-19 had been mountain climbing since early November.
The massive questions, spoke back
There were different urgent COVID questions in 2023. Listed below are one of the vital subjects we tackled, beginning with a predicament about this new segment 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 perform a little other people get a COVID an infection but display no signs?
A couple of posts from years previous drew numerous readers in 2023 as neatly:
Are you able to check sure for COVID from getting a vaccine/booster?
Does a faint line on a self-test imply I am slightly contagious?
