New COVID subvariants are circulating in Sonoma and Napa counties. Here’s what we know – The Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Summer in California has an uninvited guest tagging along a set of COVID-19 subvariants being referred to as FLiRT.

Health officials in Sonoma and Napa counties are monitoring COVID-19 subvariants through wastewater. Recent data shows fairly low levels, those officials say.

Heres what you need to know.

FLiRT refers to predominant circulating subvariants of the strain JN.1 (including those known by the letters KP) and subvariants of Omicron, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Tanya Phares said in an email.

We know the FLiRT variants have two mutations on their spike proteins that werent seen on JN.1 (the previously dominant strain in the U.S.), Phares said. This makes these variants more transmissible and may make it easier for the virus to evade peoples immunity. Despite increased transmissibility, these mutations dont appear to result in more severe disease.

Sonoma County has sequenced eight cases of FLiRT subvariants from samples collected between March 22 and May 11, Phares said in her email.

Between April 1 and May 28 sampling showed JN.1 as the predominant variant, circulating at 21%, JN.1.4.3 circulating at 12.5% and KP.3 circulating at 7%, Phares said.

In Napa County wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2 showed a slight increase since a low at the start of May, Public Health Director and Health Officer Dr. Christine Wu said in an email.

Napa County has not received any reports of the new COVID subvariant KP.2, Wu said.

From April 1 to today, the most prevalent subvariants were KP.2 at 7%, KP.3 at 4% and KP.1.1 at 3%

Statewide the most predominant circulating variant was JN.1, JN.1.7 and JN.1.4 from April 1 to today. But in May KP.2 and KP.3 became two of the top three most predominant strains circulating in California, Phares said.

County health officials are encouraging the public to follow standard guidance including staying up to date on vaccinations, hand washing and masking.

Regarding how to stay healthy, the CDC guidance has not changed, said Wu. If you feel sick, it may be best still to get a COVID test to know how best to treat yourself or adjust your plans, especially if you are going to spend time with family or friends who are at higher risk of severe illness.

Phares said vaccination was a key strategy to prevent against severe illness and death from COVID-19.

Paxlovid, the primary treatment for most people with COVID-19, should still work against these new variants, Phares said. Prevention efforts such as masking, hand washing, and improved ventilation can also help prevent against the spread of disease.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Murphy at 707-521-5228 or emma.murphy@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MurphReports.

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New COVID subvariants are circulating in Sonoma and Napa counties. Here's what we know - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat