{
  "id": 19487946,
  "title": "New COVID-19 variant PJ.2.1 spreading: Symptoms, risks and what we know so far",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/new-covid-19-variant-pj-2-1-spreading-symptoms-risks-and-what-we-know",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-11T11:10:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/new-covid-19-variant-pj21-spreading-symptoms-risks-and-what-we-know-so-far-1.500743712"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "A new COVID-19 variant called PJ.2.1 has been identified. The variant, which was first detected in Canada in May 2026, has been reported to be spreading across continents. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is closely monitoring the variant because of its growing geographical spread. Its arrival has raised familiar questions about how dangerous it is and whether another wave is coming.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "World : New COVID-19 Strain Pj.2.1 May Mimic Cold Or Flu Symptoms – WHO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/world-new-covid-19-strain-pj-2-1-may-mimic-cold-or-flu-symptoms-a-who",
        "published": "2026-11-08T06:48:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "New Covid-19 strain PJ.2.1 may mimic cold or flu symptoms – WHO",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/new-covid-19-strain-pj-2-1-may-mimic-cold-or-flu-symptoms-who",
        "published": "2026-11-08T08:29:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "WHO urges testing as new COVID-19 variant PJ.2.1 mimics flu, common cold symptoms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/who-urges-testing-as-new-covid-19-variant-pj-2-1-mimics-flu-common",
        "published": "2026-11-10T06:43:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}