The holiday season is upon us and people across the world are getting ready to travel out with, or to meet, family and friends. Or bring in the New Year in a destination of their choice. But cases of the highly transmissible new COVID variant are on the rise. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised JN.1, a sub-variant of the Omicron strain BA.2.86, also known as Pirola, as a "variant of interest" due to its rapid spread. This variant has been found in several countries where precautionary measures like face masks and thermal scanners are back. Here's what you should know before you make travel plans.
According to the CDC, this variant was first detected some time in August-September this year and has since been recorded in 12 countries, accounting for more than one-fifth of all cases as of December 9. These are the countries where cases are on the rise.
Singapore
Singapore saw a dramatic increase in Covid cases, up to 56,043 in the first week of December, forcing officials to issue a travel advisory. The island country recorded an increase of almost 24,000 cases between December 3 and 9, compared to 32,035 reported the previous week. The average daily Covid hospitalisations surged to 350 from 225 the previous week, and the average daily Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases increased to nine from four the previous week, according to the latest information from Singapore's Ministry of Health. Officials have asked the public to "exercise personal and social responsibility" in the face of mounting incidents. Individuals suffering with acute respiratory infection symptoms have been encouraged to stay at home and avoid contact with others until their symptoms resolve.
"If they have to come into contact while unwell, they need to exercise social responsibility by wearing a mask, minimising their social interactions, and avoiding crowded places.. MOH (Ministry of Health) also strongly encourages the public to wear a mask in crowded places even if they are not sick, especially in indoor settings, or when visiting or interacting with vulnerable persons," the ministry said. "Travellers should adopt the relevant travel precautions, such as wearing a mask at the airport, purchasing travel insurance, and avoiding crowded areas with poor ventilation." Despite the healthcare burden, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung reassured the public that reverting to tougher regulations is not an immediate consideration.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the coronavirus subvariant JN.1 is now responsible for approximately 20% of new Covid-19 infections in the United States, and it is the virus's fastest-growing strain. You can check out their tracking data here.
According to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, seven JN.1 infections were detected in China on December 15. Chinese authorities say that the prevalence of JN.1 is currently low in the country, but it could become the dominant strain later.
According to a recent report by The Guardian, an estimated 4.2%, or one in every 24 people, in England and Scotland had Covid on December 13, compared to 1.8%, or one in every 55, on November 29. Data also indicates that, while prevalence has increased across all age categories, it was higher in those aged 18 to 44 than in those over 65. This was based on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The Indonesian Health Ministry has confirmed the presence of the highly transmissible COVID-19 sublineage JN.1 in the country. Recent reports say that according to disease control and prevention director general Maxi Rein Rondonuwu, the ministry had registered at least 41 confirmed JN.1 infections as of Wednesday, December 20. Meanwhile, officials in Indonesia have restored thermal scanners at several border checkpoints, according to reports. They include the main international airport in Jakarta and the Batam ferry terminal. Indonesia's health ministry has also asked people to postpone travel to places where Covid-19 cases are on the rise, and complete their two-dose vaccination, wear masks and wash their hands, and stay home if they become sick.
According to reports, Covid instances nearly doubled in Malaysia in a week, rising to 6,796 in the week of December 2 from 3,626 the previous week. Malaysian authorities have stated that the issue is under control and that healthcare facilities are not overburdened.
