New variant behind latest COVID-19 wave will ‘eventually dominate’
Professor Adrian Esterman says a single mutation made JN.1 more transmissible than its predecessor.
A new and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variant has been blamed for the latest spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations, but a leading epidemiologist warns the full extent of its spread remains unclear.
More than 16,000 cases have been reported this year, according to national disease surveillance data, with health authorities once again urging people to wear masks in high-risk settings or if symptomatic.
PCR testing and wastewater samples have shown that the JN.1 variant — first discovered last August shortly after its predecessor, BA.2.86 — is likely driving this increase in infections.
Adelaide epidemiologist Professor Adrian Esterman told AusDoc that JN.1 was fast becoming the predominant strain.
