Although COVID-19 may not seem as severe as it was in the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Recently, a new variant is spreading rapidly, catching the attention of health officials.
What is the new dominant strain?
According to the CDC, the KP.3.1.1 variant has now become the predominant strain across many parts of the United States. The KP.3 lineage has been steadily rising since March, and by early June, KP.3 variants overtook the KP.2 variant as the most prevalent strain. Among them, KP.3.1.1 is currently the only major variant that is increasing in proportion nationwide. told by AOL.
Where are cases rising?
The increased spread of KP.3.1.1 comes at a time when COVID-19 indicators, such as positive test rates, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations, remain elevated. This trend is especially concerning among adults aged 65 and older and children under the age of two.
In Region 5, which includes states like Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, the CDC has reported a 15.1% positivity rate in COVID-19 tests over the past two weeks, with a 12.4% rate in the past week alone. This reflects a notable rise in cases as the variant continues to spread in these areas.
As the KP.3.1.1 variant continues to grow in dominance, health officials urge people to remain cautious and follow recommended safety protocols, especially in regions experiencing higher rates of COVID-19 activity. report from Today.com
