COVID-19 wastewater viral activity has reached “very high” degrees in 26 states, California, for the first time since last winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC reports that more than 70% of the illnesses come from a new group of highly contagious COVID-19 strains known as FLiRT variants. “FLiRT” describes a full circle of relatives of variants that appear to have the same set of mutations. FLiRT variants are descendants of the Omicron strain, particularly the JN. 1 lineage.
“Viruses mutate when there are changes,” says Barbara Cole, director of disease control at Riverside University. “So it’s not unusual for us to have a new one and as we start, we’re going to see an increase in COVID cases. “
“KP3,” the most recent variant added to this group, accounts for more than 30% of COVID-19 cases in the United States, according to Riverside County fitness experts.
News Channel 2’s Shay Lawson asked Barbara Cole for her opinion on what the KP3 variant is like for the general public.
“Other people’s poor fitness is also similar to their underlying fitness conditions, other older people and other immunocompromised people,” Cole said. “Just like any other COVID variant, there are other people at higher risk. “
Local physical care experts at services like Desert Regional Medical Center and Riverside County Health System say they’re seeing an increase in cases in the area lately.
“Well, right now in the hospital we’re seeing a massive surge,” says Michael Soto-Tapia, director of the emergency department at Desert Regional. “Lately we have 3 hospitalized patients. Most patients who have arrived at the emergency room and have COVID symptoms or have tested positive for COVID go home. “
Soto-Tapia also commented that the most recent advances in COVID-19 vaccination efforts are in the fight against these new variants.
“The CDC does not recommend that anyone get vaccinated in the months of July and August, because the new vaccines will come out in the fall,” Soto-Tapia said.
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