"Rising Cases of JN.1 Variant Spark Concern Amid Largest COVID Wave in US"

The US is experiencing its largest COVID-19 wave since omicron, driven by the highly transmissible JN.1 variant, with about 2 million Americans infected daily, although hospitalizations and deaths are down. Experts warn against complacency and emphasize the need for updated boosters and masking. Globally, spikes in cases are occurring, but experts believe that lockdowns are unnecessary, and the focus should shift to protecting against high transmissions. While the current wave may peak by mid-February, experts remain cautiously optimistic about the severity of the situation.