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The U. S. Fitness Government The U. S. is keeping an eye on so-called “FLiRT” subvariants of COVID-19, while the U. K. sees an increase in COVID-related hospitalizations.
“Our vigilance deserves to increase as we see an increase in cases, primarily due to the accumulation of social gatherings typical of the summer months,” said Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Here’s what you want to know.
The FLiRT family, comprising KP. 2 and JN. 1, are strains of the Omicron subvariant. JN. 1, the dominant strain of COVID-19 at the end of December 2023.
FLiRT subvariants cause milder disease than previous strains, such as Delta.
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Common symptoms of the emerging variant include a sore throat, congestion, fatigue, and other mild symptoms of the usual cold.
In milder and more severe cases, fever and related symptoms may occur.
Medical experts expected a spike in COVID-19 cases after weekly COVID-related hospitalizations hit their lowest point since the pandemic began in May, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control.
“While this buildup is in line with expected seasonal trends, we continue to intensively monitor new variants so that our public health reaction remains effective and adaptable,” Dr. Brownstein said.
According to the CDC, PCR tests or immediate antigen tests are the most reliable way to distinguish COVID-19 from other diseases. It’s unimaginable to determine, from your symptoms, whether you have a cold, allergies, or COVID without a test.
“Be sure to monitor for any symptoms and get tested temporarily to prevent the spread of the virus,” Dr. Brownstein said.
The newest vaccines available, along with the updated booster targeting the XBB. 1. 5 subvariant, remain effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalizations.
The latest vaccine formulations will be designed to protect against FLiRT variants and are expected to be available this fall.
“It’s vital to stay up to date on your vaccinations to have coverage against existing variants,” Dr. Brownstein said.
The ABC News unit contributed to this report.
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