The Latest Breaking News from Ryan Gregory

COVID could evolve to become more severe

JN.1's parent can infect lung cells more efficiently, a mutation that's different from the "milder" Omicron

Salon · Jan 12, 2024

Why hasn't the WHO assigned a Greek letter to JN.1 "Pirola"? How it decides when to name COVID-19 variants

In an exclusive interview with Fortune, the WHO's COVID-19 lead said the organization is ready to assign a new Greek letter on a moment’s notice, but is holding out for a variant that's "truly different." Not all experts agree with the approach.

Fortune · Jan 4, 2024

JN.1, the WHO’s newest ‘variant of interest,’ has spiked COVID wastewater levels to all-time highs in some countries. What you need to know about the ‘Pirola’ offshoot

How dangerous is JN.1, how likely are you to get it, and could it derail your holiday plans? Here’s what you need to know, according to the experts Fortune spoke with.

Fortune · Dec 20, 2023

‘Arcturus,’ a COVID variant sweeping India, is now in the U.S., the CDC says—and it's coming in hot. What it means for the future of the pandemic

XBB.1.16, dubbed "Arcturus" by variant trackers, is estimated to be behind 7% of COVID cases in the country this week.

Fortune · Apr 14, 2023

‘Arcturus,’ a highly transmissible COVID variant eyed by the WHO, appears to have a new symptom. Here's what you need to know

XBB.1.16 may not be just another run-of-the-mill Omicron, according to a prominent pediatrician in India.

Fortune · Apr 11, 2023

'Everyone is kind of tired and has given up' on COVID. But this new variant is 'one to watch,' the WHO says

Here’s what we know so far about the latest variant to raise eyebrows—and the first to do so in several months.

Fortune · Mar 31, 2023

The ‘Gryphon’ family of COVID variants is off the leash and spreading globally—but their bark may be a lot worse than their bite

A new study breaks down the quickly spreading variants’ common symptoms among 85 patients. Only three died.

Fortune · Jan 12, 2023

Meet the biology professor who named the surging 'Kraken' COVID variant. He has more to help make sense of Omicron's 'alphabet soup'

When Ryan Gregory noticed the name "Centaurus" pick up steam on Twitter, he was intrigued.

Fortune · Jan 5, 2023