New Covid-19 variant PJ.2.1 spreads globally from Ontario

A new Covid-19 variant, PJ.2.1, first identified in Ontario, Canada, in May 2026, has spread globally, prompting researchers to analyze its mutations and potential to cause a new wave of infections. The variant, a lineage of SARS-CoV-2, has been detected in the US, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Preliminary findings suggest it may bind more easily to human cells, but there is no evidence it causes more severe illness or higher hospitalization rates. PJ.2.1 emerged from the JN.1 lineage and carries a highly mutated spike protein. While it accounted for 25.2% of sequenced samples in Ontario, current vaccines still appear capable of neutralizing it, and its symptoms are similar to other Covid-19 variants.