So, there’s this new COVID variant causing a stir, especially as we head into what experts are calling a potential “summer tsunami” of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
The latest variation, dubbed “FLiRT” due to its spike protein mutations, has been making waves across the country. One of its subvariants, KP.2, was ruling the roost in May until recently when a newer version, KP.3, took the throne as the most prevalent strain of SARS-CoV-2 in America, with KP.2 still holding strong at 22.5%.
What’s the deal with these new kids on the block?
Well, KP.2 and KP.3 seem to be more infectious than their counterparts, but the jury’s still out on just how dangerous they are.
During the 185th Meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, Natalie Thornburg, Chief Lab Official for the CDC Coronavirus and Respiratory Viruses division, mentioned that the new variants share similarities with the previous winter’s major viral lineage, JN.1.
What about vaccinations?
Come around September, a new vaccine is expected to roll out, offering enhanced protection against these variants, based on JN.1 or one of FLiRT’s subvariants.
William Schaffner from Vanderbilt University pointed out that the severity of the disease comes into play. As of now, the new FLiRT strains aren’t causing severe illness, but hey, viruses can be quick-change artists.
Schaffner also noted that the new variants aren’t showing any distinctive symptoms at this point.
When it comes to COVID-19 symptoms, typical ones include chills, fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, and diarrhea.
Recent CDC data points to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations and cases, but fortunately, the numbers for deaths and severe hospital admissions are on a downward trend.