Covid-19 outbreak in California: What is happening in the state? – EL PAS USA

June 26, 2024

Over the past few weeks, Google searches for the term FLiRT have increased by 98%. The spike in interest is due to the fact that SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes Covid-19 continues to mutate. In April, a group of new viral strains called FLiRT variants was identified.

The term FLiRT comes from the technical names for their mutations. This is the term being used to describe a whole family of different variants including KP.2, JN.1.7, and any other variants starting with KP or JN that appear to have independently picked up the same set of mutations, explains the Johns Hopkins University.

According to an article from Yale University, to better understand how the FLiRT strains emerged, it is useful to see how the SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed over time, with new variants forming as mutations emerged in its genetic code. The article explains that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, which took hold in the United States in 2021, gave rise to various subvariants, including JN.1, which was identified in September 2023.

FLiRT variants have become a significant concern in the United States due to their ability to spread rapidly and evade acquired immunity, both from previous infections and vaccines. Indeed, the variants are of such great concern, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now closely monitoring them.

The KP.3 variant comes from JN.1.11.1, a direct descendant of JN.1. The main concerns over the KP.3 variant are due to its genetic mutations, especially in the spike protein, which is crucial for the virus entry into human cells. These genetic mutations have led to a rapid increase in Covid-19 cases in densely populated regions, with California one of the most affected states in the United States.

Johns Hopkins University reported: At the end of March, the KP.2 variant was causing about 4% of infections in the U.S., according to the CDC, while its parental strain, JN.1, was causing over 50% of infections at that time. As of early May, KP.2 makes up about 28% of infections, overtaking JN.1 as the dominant variant. Now KP.3 is gaining ground.

Based on estimates from California Department of Public Health model, KP.3 is expected to be the dominant variant (41.9%).

People of different ages in the U.S. have been affected by the recorded Covid-19 cases due to the KP.3 variant. Some specialists say that, even if a person has had JN.1, they can become infected with the KP.3 variant, especially if their last infection with Covid-19 occurred several months ago.

At this time, common symptoms of the new Covid-19 KP.3 and other variants of the FLiRT strain are:

Californias Department of Public Health continues to recommend vaccination as the primary strategy to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid-19. But there are other easy measures to follow too:

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