New COVID variants including JN.1 ripping through US spark concerns - what we know

While the darkest days of the Coronavirus pandemic are believed to be over, healthcare experts have warned that we aren't out of the woods yet. New COVID-19 varients are raising eyebrows in the US.

07:17 ET, Fri, Dec 15, 2023 | UPDATED: 08:59 ET, Fri, Dec 15, 2023

COVID-19 3D rendering.

New COVID-19 subvariants are causing concern among healthcare experts (Image: GETTY)

Recent discoveries of four subvariants of COVID-19 circulating in the US have alarmed healthcare experts worldwide.

Vaccines have significantly reduced case numbers in many countries but the ever-evolving virus continues to pose challenges, particularly as winter approaches.

There have been significant outbreaks of strains in the US and UK while in India cases are surging with the state of Kerala emerging as an epicenter for one new sub-variant.

Here's what we know about the current COVID-19 variants circulating the US and the globe.

Someone taking a COVID-19 test.

Scientists are particularly concerned about two new subvariants that could evade vaccines. (Image: GETTY)

Main strains: EG.5 (Eris) and HV.1

Eris - the common name for the EG.5 variant - is thought to be a descendant of the XBB.1.9.2 Omicron subvariant that came from China earlier in the year.

HV.1 evolved from Eris and skyrocketed to prominence over the summer. It now accounts for more than 30 percent of cases in the US.

These two variants account for nearly half of COVID-19 cases in the United States but experts have said that they do not pose as much of a threat as other variants as new vaccines are effective against against EG.5 and HV.1.

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People wearing facemasks.

Vulnerable individuals may want to consider masking up. (Image: GETTY)

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Worrisome developments: BA.2.86 and JN.1

Experts have sounded the alarm over two new subvariants of COVID-19, BA.2.86 - known as Pirola - and JN.1.

BA.2.86 has several mutations to its spike protein which helps the virus infect organisms and evade the immune system.

Because of this scientists were initially worried that Priola might evade the immune defenses offered by vaccines. However, newer data has suggested that vaccines should work against the virus.

JN.1 - a descendant of BA.2.86 - could be a different story. It readily evades immune defenses although new vaccines appear to generate antibodies against it.

However, this has sparked fears that JN.1 could cause infections that breakthrough an individual's vaccine protections.

The variant was detected recently in the Indian state of Kerala, sparking concerns that it could be behind a surge in cases there.

A potential winter surge

Several states in the US - at least 15 - are experiencing "high" levels of winter viruses including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19, according to the CDC.

South Carolina and Louisiana have been given a Level 12 status, which means their rates of illness are "very high."

An additional 13 states - including Alabama, California, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina - have "high" levels of illnesses.

While these are caused by a variety of viruses, it's sure that emerging variants of COVID-19 play a part in this.

Vulnerable individuals may want to take precautions including social distancing and wearing a mask while vaccines continue to remain the best defense against COVID-19.