The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said on Thursday that while its latest surveillance data shows that the coronavirus variant JN.1 is spreading in the local community, there is no evidence to indicate that it causes more severe diseases than other Covid strains.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently classified JN.1 as a “variant of interest” following a surge in infections in many parts of the world.

The CHP said it’s been monitoring the local Covid situation closely, and it’s noticed a slight increase in virus activity. It added that it expects JN.1 to replace XBB as the dominant variant in the territory.

"The latest surveillance data revealed that JN.1 has been spreading in the local community. However, no evidence shows that JN.1 will cause more severe diseases when compared with XBB and its descendant lineages," it said in a statement.

“Recently, the number of reported local severe and fatal Covid-19 cases are about the same as that earlier when approximately all of the cases concerned are XBB.”

The CHP called on members of the public to remain vigilant ahead of the holiday season, and urged high-risk individuals to get Covid booster shots to better protect themselves.

"Taking into account the JN.1 has a higher transmissibility, and the chance for families and friends to get together or travel during Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year holidays, local Covid-19 cases are anticipated to rise and reports on relevant severe cases and deaths will also increase with the increasing community infection", it said.