The U.S. is experiencing a significant spike in Covid-19 and flu cases due to a new Covid-19 variant coinciding with the winter flu season, leading to an increased number of emergency room visits and raising concerns about potential strain on hospital systems.
The UK is monitoring a new Covid-19 variant, JN.1, which is showing unusual symptoms such as trouble sleeping and anxiety, in addition to more common ones like coughs and runny noses. The loss of taste and smell is now less common, reported by only a small percentage of individuals. With a current prevalence rate of 4.2% in England and Scotland, the UK Health Security Agency is urging eligible individuals to get a seasonal vaccine by January 31, especially those at higher risk, to protect against the increased transmission potential during winter and the emergence of new variants.
Scientists have raised concerns about a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1, which may increase the risk of heart failure and pose a significant global healthcare risk. The emergence of this strain has coincided with a rise in COVID-19 cases in several countries, exacerbating pressures on healthcare systems already dealing with flu admissions and the impacts of industrial action. Health officials are monitoring the situation and have noted an increase in hospital bed capacity compared to the previous year, despite the challenges.