New Covid variant HV.1 and JN.1 - spreading 

A new COVID variant called HV.1 has been spreading across US states. It is a highly contagious omicron subvariant, which was first reported in the late summer. 

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it rapidly overtook other Covid variants, which includes EG.5, back in October.

In December, it accounted for 30 per cent of new COVID-19 infections among US citizens. Congestion, sore throat and dry cough seem to be the three most prominent symptoms right now.

In December, it accounted for 30 per cent of new COVID-19 infections among US citizens. Omicron began spreading in the US in November 2021

According to the CDC's SARS-CoV-2 lineage tree, HV.1 is a sublineage of omicron XBB.1.9.2 and a direct descendent of EG.5.

Similar to other COVID variants, the new HV.1 virus is highly contagious. Currently no data suggest that JN.1 is serious however, it is spreading worldwide 

The symptoms of HV.1 & JN.1 include:  -- Fever or chills  -- Cough -- Shortness of breath or    difficulty breathing -- Fatigue -- Muscle or  Body aches  

The symptoms of HV.1 & JN.1 include:  -- Headache  -- New loss of taste or    smell  -- Sore throat  -- Congestion or runny nose  -- Nausea or Vomiting  -- Diarrhoea  

Besides vaccination, proper hygiene and precautions like wearing masks, testing is an important component to stopping the spread and keeping our more vulnerable loved ones infection-free.