As COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to surge in Georgia and across the country following holiday festivities, concerns grow over the impact of the new COVID variant, JN.1. Here's a breakdown of the latest numbers and developments in Georgia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), new COVID hospitalizations in Georgia reached a total of 1,047 for the week ending January 6th. This marks a significant increase of 930 hospitalizations from the previous week, reflecting a 13% surge. Nationally, new COVID hospitalizations rose by 3.2% during the same period.

In terms of COVID-related deaths, preliminary data suggests that Georgia recorded 16 deaths for the week ending January 6th. However, more reliable data from early December indicates an average of around 20 COVID deaths per week in the state.

Older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems remain the most vulnerable to severe illness and complications from COVID. In the week ending December 30th, 70% of new COVID hospitalizations in Georgia were among individuals aged 60 and older.

The emergence of the new COVID variant, JN.1, has sparked further concern. JN.1 is a descendant of the omicron variant and has been spreading rapidly across the nation. Recent surveillance data from the CDC reveals that JN.1 now accounts for 86% of COVID cases in the United States. Similarly, it represents a substantial proportion in the Southeastern region comprising eight states, including Georgia.

While the precise characteristics of the JN.1 variant are still being studied, the CDC reports that its prevalence suggests it may be either more transmissible or better at evading our immune systems. It is important to note, however, that there is currently no evidence suggesting that JN.1 causes more severe illness. Early laboratory data indicates that the updated vaccines continue to be effective against this variant and provide protection against severe illnesses. Additionally, the CDC anticipates that the antiviral treatment Paxlovid remains effective against JN.1.

In terms of other respiratory illnesses, flu activity in Georgia remains elevated, albeit showing signs of slowing down after a post-holiday surge. The latest data from the Georgia Department of Public Health reveals that the state remains at a "very high" level of flu activity, along with twelve other states, according to the CDC.

However, there has been a slight decline in the number of illnesses reported, suggesting the possible peak of flu season. Yet, medical professionals emphasize that it is too early to determine whether this trend will continue or if flu activity may surge once again.

For the week ending January 13th, approximately 7% of people in Georgia sought medical care for flu-like symptoms, down from the previous week's 8.2%. This represents a significant decrease from the week ending December 29th when 11.1% of individuals sought medical attention for flu-like symptoms.

It is important to note that doctor visit data encompasses individuals presenting with symptoms associated with various circulating viruses, including flu, COVID, RSV, common cold, and strep throat.

As the situation continues to evolve, health authorities urge the public to remain vigilant, practice preventive measures, and get vaccinated to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.