Summer in California is accompanied by an uninvited guest: a set of COVID-19 FLiRT subvariants.
Health officials in Sonoma and Napa counties are tracking COVID-19 subvariants in wastewater. Recent knowledge shows low levels, officials say.
Here’s what you want to know.
FLiRT refers to the major circulating subvariants of the JN. 1 strain (including those known by the letters KP) and Omicron subvariants, Dr. Schulz said in an email. Tanya Phares, Sonoma County Health Officer.
“We know that the FLiRT variants have two mutations in their spike proteins that were not seen in JN. 1 (the dominant strain in the past in the U. S. )”We are not going to be able to do anything about the U. S. ,” Phares said. This makes those variants more transmissible and possibly makes them less transmissible. “The virus finds it difficult to evade people’s immunity. Despite increased transmissibility, those mutations don’t appear to lead to more severe disease.
Sonoma County sequenced 8 of the FLiRT subvariants from samples collected between March 22 and May 11, Phares said in his email.
Between April 1 and May 28, sampling showed that JN. 1 was the main variant, with 21% circulation, JN. 1. 4. 3 circulating at 12. 5% and KP. 3 circulating at 7%, Phares said.
In Napa County, SARS-CoV-2 detections in wastewater showed a slight increase “from a trough” in early May, Director of Public Fitness and Fitness Officer Dr. Anne Schultz said in an email. Christine Wu.
Napa County has won all reports on the new KP. 2 subvariant of COVID, Wu said.
From April 1 to the present, the most prevalent subvariants were KP. 2 at 7%, KP. 3 at 4%, and KP. 1. 1 at 3%.
Statewide, the primary variant in maximum circulation JN. 1, JN. 1. 7 and JN. 1. 4 from April 1 to the present. But by May, the KP. 2 and KP. 3 strains have become two of the top 3 major strains circulating in California. Fares said.
County fitness officials are encouraging the public to adhere to the guidelines, adding to stay up-to-date on vaccinations, handwashing and mask-wearing.
“In terms of how to stay healthy, the CDC rules haven’t changed,” Wu said. “If you’re feeling sick, it would possibly be more productive to get a COVID test to figure out how to best treat yourself or adapt. “your plans, especially if you’re spending time with family or friends who are at higher risk for serious illness.
Phares said vaccination is “a key strategy to avoid severe illness and death from COVID-19. “
“Paxlovid, the number one remedy for most people with COVID-19, is still expected to work against those new variants,” Phares said. “Prevention efforts, such as mask-wearing, handwashing, and increased ventilation, can also help save it. “the spread of disease. “
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