Egypt Reports 1st Two Cases of New COVID-19 Variant JN.1

Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population announced in a statement on Thursday the detection of the first two cases of the new Omicron coronavirus subvariant JN.1, following laboratory tests.

The identified cases were in stable health conditions, with mild symptoms only affecting the upper respiratory tract, the ministry statement explained, noting that they did not need to be hospitalized.

The ministry reassured that there was no update related to the precautionary measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to approach respiratory system infections, including coronavirus, influenza, and other rhinoviruses.

The statement recommended continuous cleaning and disinfection of hands and surfaces, urging the infected to wear face masks in public places.

Egypt is currently witnessing an increase in respiratory infections, ranging between minor and moderate cases, which are normal at this point of the year, Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, presidential adviser for health affairs, said on Sunday.

Last week, WHO classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a "variant of interest," noting that its risk to public health remains low.

The JN.1 has been spotted in 41 countries as of mid-December, according to WHO.

The symptoms of the new variant are cough, fever or chills, body aches, congestion, loss of smell and taste, sore throat, and fatigue.

COVID-19 infection rates in Egypt have reached their lowest point since the pandemic began, with no reported deaths since 16 March, Hossam Abdel-Ghaffar, health ministry spokesperson, said in August.

The pandemic took a heavy toll on Egyptians in 2020-2021 before it subsided in 2022.