Archived articles

Covid-19 variants

A drawing of a coronavirus in grey watercolor background to illustrate dangerous cases of a pandemic
COVID-19
What to know about JN.1, the latest COVID variant
Published Jan 12, 2024
Vaccines, tests, and antivirals are still effective tools in the most recent COVID surge, Hopkins virologist says
A person at the entrance of a maze
COVID-19
Tracking COVID-19 omicron variants
Published Nov 11, 2022
Andrew Pekosz and Joshua Sharfstein discuss the many faces of omicron, which tools are still holding up against it, and what virologists are still waiting to see from this virus
A booster shot is administered on the Homewood campus Jan. 11, 2022
Q+A
Why and when to get a bivalent booster
Published Oct 6, 2022
The newly available COVID-19 boosters offer the best protection against current strains. But who needs it and when should they get it?
Train passengers both with and without protective masks crowding to get on and off subway station platform
Q+A
Omicron update: The summer of subvariants
Published July 19, 2022
With five versions of omicron circulating, vaccines are working against severe disease, not against infection. Virologist Andy Pekosz tells us what to expect this summer and beyond.
An illustration of an omicron variant
Q+A
Taking the temperature of the pandemic
Published May 16, 2022
As the U.S. reaches one million COVID-19 deaths, where are we in the arc of the pandemic? Epidemiologist David Dowdy explains.
Illustration of a coronavirus cell being attacked by antibodies
Coronavirus
Antibodies fighting original virus may be weaker against omicron
Published April 28, 2022
A study of vaccinated individuals with breakthrough COVID-19 infection showed that their antibodies, while effective at stopping original strain of virus, were less effective at preventing infection by omicron variant
White N95 masks with yellow straps are stacked in the foreground
Coronavirus
Experts discuss risks of ending mask mandates too soon
Published Feb 11, 2022
Indoor winter gatherings, low vaccination rates among eligible children are reasons for concern, according Hopkins experts
Illustration of three weary hospital employees
Omicron
Hospitals on the brink
Published Jan 31, 2022
While the most recent surge of COVID-19 infections may be slowing at long last, hospitals and their staff expect to continue operating at crisis level for the foreseeable future
N95 masks on a table in the Clipper Room
Q+A
Why it's time to upgrade to an N95 or KN95 mask
Published Jan 25, 2022
Better masks are needed to protect against the highly transmissible omicron variant, says Bloomberg School expert Chris Beyrer, who also discusses proper mask care and when it's time to throw your mask away
Omicron variant seen under the microscope
Q+A
Making sense of the messiness of omicron
Published Jan 10, 2022
In this Q+A, experts from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health address some common questions and scenarios with what is known right now