What is this New Strand?
A new, fast-spreading COVID-19 variant called KP.2 (Flirt) is circulating in the U.S. Which is causing an increasing proportion of cases, sparking concerns about a potential summer wave. This new variant being a part of the family of every previous one before.
Studies from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that KP.2 is responsible for one in four infections across the U.S. All while KP.1.1, though less prevalent, still accounts for about 7.5% of infections.
How Long Has COVID Been Active?
COVID was initially discovered in China back in 2019, and entered the U.S. in January of 2020, when the CDC alerted everyone of it. Since the announcement of the outbreak, there has been multiple new strands continuing to arise.
Furthermore, in the last four years of COVID being in the U.S it has made 25% of the population has had COVID. Subsequently, the state who has been affected by the disease the worst is California, with 101,159 deaths.
Is there Any Other Major Changes with this New Variant?
As many new strands of COVID have been discovered throughout the years of the disease being active; The symptoms typically stay the same. However, ‘Flirt’ has caused an increasing hospitalization rate since discovered. Subsequently, it has not caused any increase in mortality rates so far.
Unfortunately, not all data has been collected on this variant yet, as it is still new. So, staying aware is extremely important, as well as taking the right precautions when sick.
What are all of the Symptoms of COVID?
As this may be said to you time and time again, symptoms may vary depending on the person. However, typically all along the same gird of symptoms for everyone. Those indicators include:
- Fever or chills.
- Cough.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Lots of times these symptoms can be confused with many other illnesses and diseases as well, so be sure to check with a doctor. As ‘Flirt’ is one of the many variants stemming from the original disease, stay aware and cautious.
By Key Robertson
Sources:
Today: 2 new COVID variants called ‘FLiRT’ are spreading in the U.S. What are the symptoms?
The Weather Channel: FLiRT Alert: Here’s All You Need to Know About The New Fast-Circulating COVID-19 Subvariant of Omicron!
CDC: Symptoms of COVID-19
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Inset Image Courtesy of Ivan Radic’s Flikr Page Creative – Commons License
