A new variant of the coronavirus has dominated the United States as COVID cases continue to rise amid a wave of summer infections. But what are the symptoms of this new variant and how do they compare to previous strains?
As of Aug. 3, the now-dominant coronavirus subvariant, KP. 3. 1. 1, accounted for more than one in four COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Experts said this may pose a greater challenge to our immune formula than previous variants.
KP. 3. 1. 1 is part of a series of several new variants, dubbed FLiRT because of the position of the mutations on the projections on their surface that allow them to enter our cells. These projections, known as spike proteins, are also used as targets through our immune formula and vaccines, so adjustments to their design can cause the virus to get past our body’s defenses.
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Initial analyses (which have not been peer-reviewed) recommend that KP. 3. 1. 1 would possibly be particularly more contagious than previous variants, adding other FLiRT variants. It may also be more effective at evading our immune formula and immunity transmitted by existing vaccines.
Along with the emergence of those new variants, COVID cases in the United States have seen a significant increase in recent weeks, with 16. 3% of tests coming back positive in the week ending July 27, according to the CDC. This has been accompanied by an increase in the detection of COVID-19 in wastewater in the United States, with very high levels detected in 20 states.
But does this mean that the new variants are more dangerous?
From what we have noticed so far, the new FLiRT variants typically do not cause serious symptoms. Hospitalizations remain low, as do death rates. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the symptoms are the same as previous versions of the virus, often with milder expression.
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As indexed by the CDC, symptoms include:
However, other more vulnerable people may still be at risk of becoming seriously ill. It is essential to isolate yourself if you get a positive COVID test.
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Kaku, Y. , Uriu, K. , Okumura, K. , Ito, J. et Sato, K. (2024). Virology of the SARS-CoV-2 variant KP. 3. 1. 1. bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory). https://doi. org/10. 1101/2024. 07. 16. 603835
Pandora Dewan is a senior science reporter at Newsweek, founded in London, United Kingdom. It focuses on informing about science, fitness, and technology. Pandora joined Newsweek in 2022 and in the past worked as head of content for climate education startup ClimateScience and as a freelancer for content creators such as Dr. Karan Rajan and Thoughty2. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Oxford. Languages: English.
You can tap Pandora by emailing p. dewan@newsweek. com or on Twitter @dewanpandora.
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