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Hospitalizations are way up in countries hit with the newJN.1 COVID variant called NB.1.8.1 even though it does not seem to be more severe than Omicron LP.8.1. which is currently dominant. NB.1.8.1 is rising rapidly in its percentage share among global COVID infections, going from 2.5% to over 10% in only four weeks. This may suggest increased transmissabilty.

Of course, repeated infections with any COVID variants have adverse compounding effects. Yet, I have a very troubling hunch, since the character and spread of this variant does not really match up with the increase in cases and hospitalizations. What if this represents widespread co-infection with something else? Probably not Bird Flu, since that is an Influenza A virus, and presumably, they would test for flu. But, it could be anything.

One of my worst illnesses was when I got Strept Throat and Influenza at the same time. So, I know what co-infections are like. The double whammy is difficult to overcome.

Perhaps I'm way off base, but I can't help but think that we are missing something important right now.