United States: Summers are almost here but still the concern related to COVID-19 and its variants are still here, raising the concerns and worries of the health experts of the US. Recently, concerns have increased after witnessing a hike in the cases linked to new set of coronavirus variants, which has been recently named as FLiRT.
The health experts have outlined that there are high chances that summer season will act as a catalyst for the increase in the number of cases linked to the new variant. According to the reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the new variants – KP.1.1 and KP.2, have overtaken the JN.1 variant in the US.
As per the federal health agency, the new variants are responsible for around one in four infections nationwide. While expressing health concerns, the authority has outlined that there is a high probability that the mutations on the FLiRT variants might increase the chances of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the regions where hospitalizations and deaths were decreased.
While addressing the concern, an infectious disease expert at UCSF – Dr Peter Chin-Hong, stated, “While a full-blown surge this summer is unlikely due to the new variants, more people are going to get sick. The increased transmissibility of these new variants, coupled with more people gathering indoors to escape the heat or for travel, creates the perfect storm for a wavelet,” according to reports by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The CDC stated its endeavor to monitor the variations to gain a deeper comprehension of their potential ramifications on public health, encompassing the symptoms they might induce or their capacity to circumvent immunity from existing vaccines and treatments.
Concurrently, the institution ceased its mandate for states to report COVID-19 hospitalizations last month, gradually phasing out one of the most dependable metrics for tracking the pandemic’s progression over the preceding four years. Instead, the CDC will now rely solely on the surveillance of wastewater, test positivity ratios, and fatalities to monitor the spread of the coronavirus, the reports by the San Francisco Chronicle.
“We possess a diminished ability to anticipate an upsurge and counsel individuals proactively about when to seek vaccination and undertake other precautions,” stated Chin-Hong. Nevertheless, he also underscored that we have arrived at a juncture where we can manage COVID-19 with greater efficacy, and it no longer poses an “apocalyptic” threat to the healthcare infrastructure.
Here’s an exposition on the FLiRT variants and the contemporary status of the pandemic.
What distinguishes the FLiRT variants?
The FLiRT variants — KP.2 and KP.1.1 — derive from JN.1.11.1, an offspring of the JN.1 variant that predominated during the preceding winter season. All are constituents of the omicron lineage. These novel strains bear two additional mutations denoted alphabetically as F and R, from which their moniker stems. Scientists hypothesize that these mutations might augment the transmissibility of the variants.
Nonetheless, the CDC stipulates that “while KP.2 is proportionally the most prevalent variant, it is not precipitating a surge in infections due to the low transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2.”
Chin-Hong highlighted the rapid evolution of the virus, with a fresh variant gaining predominance approximately every half-year, a considerably brisker pace compared to other pathogens such as influenza or the common cold.
Do the vaccines remain efficacious against the novel variants?
The revamped COVID-19 vaccine introduced in September was tailored to target the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which predominated in early 2023. Despite being less efficacious against recent strains, it continues to confer protection against severe illness and mortality. However, only around 22% of adults have received the updated vaccine, markedly lower than the uptake for previous COVID inoculations, rendering many individuals more susceptible to infection.
“At present, we still admit COVID-19 patients to hospitals,” Chin-Hong remarked. “I invariably inquire, ‘Did you receive the latest COVID vaccine launched in the autumn?’ Virtually all individuals I encountered responded, ‘I did not receive the new vaccine but had received numerous vaccines previously,'” outlined the San Francisco Chronicle.
Advisors to the Food and Drug Administration are scheduled to convene in early June to delineate the formulation for the forthcoming autumnal vaccine, anticipated to target JN.1 and its progeny.
What are the symptoms of FLiRT variants?
The CDC is monitoring infections attributable to KP.2 and KP.1.1. Preliminary data suggests that they elicit symptoms akin to those precipitated by JN.1, typically manifesting within two to 14 days post-infection. These symptoms encompass:
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever or chills
• New loss of sense of taste or smell
• Brain fog
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Gastrointestinal distress
Chin-Hong noted an escalation in cases of diarrhea, which, albeit not unprecedented, is “somewhat peculiar.” Nonetheless, he averred that there is no anticipation of novel symptoms or heightened disease severity associated with the FLiRT variants, according to reports by San Francisco Chronicle.
Should one continue to ascertain potential COVID-19 exposure?
Health authorities persist in advocating for at-home COVID-19 testing, notwithstanding the likelihood of reduced sensitivity to the latest viral strains. The CDC recommends self-testing if symptomatic or five days subsequent to exposure to COVID-19, even in the absence of symptoms. Individuals are encouraged to conduct repeated testing over several days if initial results are negative.
Is it advisable to augment masking or adopt other precautions?
Though no longer compulsory, the CDC advises donning a premium-grade mask in communal settings when respiratory viruses — not solely SARS-CoV-2 — are prevalent in the vicinity. Additionally, the agency advocates for mask usage when interacting with individuals at heightened risk of severe illness.
Chin-Hong advocates for receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine concomitantly with the annual influenza vaccination in autumn. He suggested timing this ahead of an anticipated winter resurgence, typically antecedent to the holiday season, to optimize safeguarding. However, elderly individuals or those with compromised immune systems may avail themselves of a booster presently, followed by another dose in the autumn.