Philippines logs 18 cases of JN.1 COVID variant

EIGHTEEN cases of JN.1, a new COVID-19 variant, were reported in the Philippines, although the Department of Health emphasized that it did not cause serious illness.

The DOH said on Sunday that the cases were detected in samples gathered between November 16 and December 3.

“There has been no significant increase in the number or severity of cases overall. Furthermore, all the JN.1 cases have recovered,” it said in a statement.

“New variants and strains of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 are always there, but only a few become ‘of concern.’ JN.1 is not one of those. It is another Omicron subvariant with no evidence of increased severity or unusual clinical presentation. There is also no evidence that it spreads faster.”

The DOH added that JN.1 needs to be closely observed and studied by epidemiologists and researchers worldwide. 

“As 2023 ends and we usher in a New Year, the DOH urges all to use multiple layers of protection (masking, ensuring good airflow and adequate ventilation, covering coughs, vaccination), especially among our high-risk and vulnerable groups,” the DOH said.

“Doing so will help avoid an increase in influenza-like and other respiratory illnesses due to all the gatherings.”