"Update on COVID-19 Epidemiology, January 19, 2024

"Over 1.1 million new cases were reported worldwide during the 28-day period from December 11, 2023, to January 7, 2024, a 4% increase over the previous 28-day period. With 8700 new fatalities reported, the number of new deaths fell by 26% from the previous 28-day period. Over 774 million confirmed cases and over seven million deaths had been reported worldwide as of January 7, 2024.   During the period from 11 December 2023 to 7 January 2024, COVID-19 new hospitalizations and admissions to an intensive care unit (ICU) both recorded an overall increase of 40% and 13% with over 173 000 and 1900 admissions, respectively. With 71 countries reporting JN.1 as the most prevalent VOI globally, it accounted for roughly 66% of sequences in week 52 as opposed to about 25% in week 48. Week 52 saw 7.8% of sequences belonging to its stable parent lineage, BA.2.86, compared to week 48's 7.0%. On December 19, 2023, the preliminary risk assessment for JN.1 was released, presenting an overall assessment of low public health risk worldwide, based on the evidence that was at hand.  Included in this edition are: "The worldwide and regional COVID-19 epidemiological update.