A highly mutated COVID-variant is NOW the fastest-growing strain in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The most recent CDC study results show that JN.1 accounts for 29% of all COVID cases in the U.S. – up from just 0.1% at the end of October.  Health officials predicts the variant, closely related to BA.2.86, known as Pirola, that’s been tracked since August – will continue to grow over the coming months.  All of the current strains are descendants of Omicron which first started circulating back in 2021.  The CDC states that there is no indication the variant causes more severe illnesses – and that current vaccines can prevent serious illness from the infection.  It is to blame, however – for the uptick in cases – as in COVID’s pattern of increasing and peaking in late summer and then again around the New Year.

These are the most common symptoms – with a sore throat often coming first – followed by congestion and cough:

• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever or chills
• Loss of sense of taste or smell

People with COVID symptoms are advised to stay home – get tested – and seek treatment.