On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a “variant of interest,” but stated that it does not pose a significant risk to public health.

According to the evidence, the World Health Organization stated that the extra risk to global public health from JN.1 is currently considered to be low.

JN.1 was previously classified as a variant of interest as a part of its parent lineage BA.2.86.

The agency for the United Nations stated that existing vaccines still provide protection against severe illness and death caused by JN.1 and other variants of the COVID-19 virus.

The most recent projections from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that the subvariant JN.1 accounts for approximately 15% to 29% of cases in the United States as of December 8.

The statement noted that there is currently no proof that JN.1 poses a higher threat to public health compared to other variants currently in circulation. An updated vaccine could provide continued protection for Americans against this variant.

According to the CDC, JN.1 was initially identified in the United States in September.

The previous week, seven cases of the COVID subvariant were identified in China.