New Covid variant spreads from Canada to US, Europe & Asia: What we know about PJ.2.1

A newly identified Covid-19 variant, PJ.2.1, is spreading across multiple countries after emerging in Canada in May 2026. Researchers have found that the variant may have an increased ability to infect human cells, including those with low levels of the ACE2 receptor. However, early laboratory findings suggest it does not significantly evade antibodies produced by existing Covid-19 vaccines. The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring as the virus evolves.According to a report published in the Journal of Infection, the variant was first detected in Ontario, Canada, on May 2, 2026.It has since spread to several parts of the United States, Europe and Asia. Researchers said wastewater surveillance data showed that PJ.2.1 was the fastest-growing Covid-19 variant in the US at the time of their analysis.In the US, the variant was first identified in a patient in New York City on June 30.