According to Balloux, it is likely to have emerged in an immunocompromised person – someone who has a weaker immune system – who later spread it.

Source: https://www.informationng.com/2023/08/uk-records-first-case-of-new-covid-19-variant-with-high-mutations.html

“And certainly for the immunocompromised population, I think most people would want to err on the side of doing more than less, knowing that their immune response is less robust from the start.”

Source: https://vtdigger.org/2023/04/27/new-covid-19-booster-recommendations-roll-out-in-vermont/

“A patient who is older than 65 or is immunocompromised and persons who have not been recently vaccinated against COVID-19 may experience more serious symptoms like difficulty breathing.”

Source: https://guyanatimesgy.com/moh-monitoring-surge-of-jn-1-covid-variant-globally/

He advised people to get their bivalent booster, to test before attending large gatherings or before meeting with elderly or immunocompromised people and to wear a high-quality mask in crowded indoor spaces.

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/01/04/new-covid-strain-xbb-00076320?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication

However, those with weakened immune systems or who are immunocompromised are at risk of hard-to-treat infections.

Source: https://www.1310kfka.com/abc-news/health/03/potentially-deadly-fungus-spreading-rapidly-in-us-health-care-facilities/

I am not immunocompromised and am not at greater risk for infection or illness.

Source: https://tjpnews.com/importance-of-preventative-care/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=importance-of-preventative-care

If your holiday plans include visiting friends or relatives who might be at increased risk of severe disease, such as the elderly or immunocompromised people, masking and physical distancing provide added layers of protection.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davewessner/2023/12/21/new-covid-19-variant-jn1-spreading-rapidly-but-risk-remains-low-who-says/

In another meeting dated Nov. 21, Rowland said that due to being immunocompromised as a cancer survivor, she had to leave early because her colleague Councilmember JJ Burke was “actively sick” and was not wearing a mask.

Source: https://www.columbian.com/news/2023/jan/04/woodland-city-councilwoman-jennifer-rowland-resigns-due-to-health-clashes-with-staff-and-councilmembers/

“It’s nice to focus on another dose of bivalent vaccine, but I do worry that we haven’t even given the bivalent vaccine to the majority of immunocompromised and elderly,” she said.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/health/covid-booster-older-immunocompromised.html

Now, it's up to individual facilities to decide when masks are required, such as when dealing with immunocompromised, neonatal, hemato-oncology and organ transplant patients.

Source: https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/lingering-covid-19-mask-rules-are-now-completely-lifted-in-quebec-1.6485479

“So, for immunocompromised and disabled people, the idea of returning to a normal that never considered our safety has never been the goal.”

Source: https://depauliaonline.com/62708/news/im-not-sure-what-would-make-them-care-students-following-protocol-express-anger-exhaustion-over-end-of-public-health-emergency/

"Sunny’s Hair and Wigs caters largely to cancer patients who are immunocompromised, and employees testified that they’ve worn masks inside the business for no less than a decade," the Phoenix New Times said.

Source: https://www.rawstory.com/kari-lake-election-lawsuit/

The fungus is recognised as an emerging pathogen causing serious infection in immunocompromised and/or critically ill patients and babies admitted to neonatal units.

Source: https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2023-12-21-lubricant-used-in-medical-procedures-recalled-after-fungus-link-in-380-patients/

This infection generally happens in immunocompromised and HIV patients or those undergoing chemotherapy.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/doctors-fortis-noida-save-two-month-old-baby-rarest-of-rare-meningitis-8587971/

While many people with healthy immune systems have learned to live with COVID and accept it as a part of the new normal, that simply isn't an option for the immunocompromised.

Source: https://seekingalpha.com/article/4651070-invivyd-inc-ivvd-q3-2023-earnings-call-transcript?source=feed_all_articles