Topline
New coronavirus variants dubbed “FLiRT” are circulating the world and growing dominant in the U.S., and although cases and deaths are on a decline, some experts worry these variants may cause a summer surge as more Americans gather for summer holidays, since evidence suggests the variants may highly transmissible.
Key Facts
The FLiRT variants are new strains of COVID-19 that begin with either KP or JN, and they’re named after the same set of mutations they have each independently picked up, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The new variants are descendants of the JN.1 variant, which is an offshoot of omicron and made of the majority of cases in the U.S. in December and earlier this year.
FLiRT variants have two extra mutations on their spike proteins than JN.1 has, so some experts believe these mutations may make it easier for the variants to evade people’s immunity, according to Yale Medicine—though current data suggests the strains aren’t more severe than previous ones.
A FLiRT variant called KP.2 is the dominant variant in the U.S., making up 28.2% of cases in the two-week period ending in May 11, and KP.1.1—another FLiRT variant—made up over 7% of cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Because of their potential to evade immunity, experts are concerned these variants may cause a spike in cases as people gather for several summer holidays, though U.S. cases and deaths have fallen by 0.1% and 14.3%, respectively, even though hospitalizations have risen by over 9% since March.
Some experts think KP.2 and KP.1.1 could be more transmissible than previous strains: Early data suggests KP.2 may be “rather transmissible” since its two new mutations help “its ability to transmit, but also now evades some of the pre-existing immunity in the population,” Dr. Andrew Pekosz, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University, told NBC.
What Are Flirt Variant Symptoms?
There isn’t any evidence the FLiRT variants’ symptoms are different or worse than previous strains. The most common Covid symptoms include respiratory issues like coughing, runny nose, congestion and a sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, body aches, fatigue, headaches and loss of taste or smell.
Do Vaccines Protect Against Flirt?
Because the FliRT variants are descendants of omicron, experts believe the most up-to-date COVID-19 monovalent vaccines—which focus on omicron strains—should offer some protection against these variants. The Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory committee postponed its meeting to discuss new recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccines until June 5. The meeting was postponed to “allow for additional time to obtain surveillance data and other information,” so the committee “will have more up-to-date information when discussing and making recommendations,” according to the announcement. The World Health Organization announced in April its vaccine committee encourages countries to make new monovalent vaccines that focus on JN.1’s lineage, so it’s possible new vaccines in the U.S. may provide more protection against the FLiRT variants ahead of an anticipated respiratory illness surge this fall and winter.
Big Number
135,330. That’s how many global cases of COVID-19 were reported to WHO in the 28 days ending in May 5. There were 29,500 cases reported to WHO during the week beginning on May 5, down from the 44.5 million cases reported during the peak of December 2022, though several countries—including the U.S.—haven’t reported updated numbers to WHO.
Key Background
FLiRT variants have been reported in several countries including the U.K. and Israel. Last week, WHO said KP.2 and KP.3—another FLiRT variant—made up 9.6% and 20% of cases globally. The agency classifies these two variants as “variants under monitoring,” which means they may have early signs of growth compared to other variants, or genetic changes that may potentially affect virus characteristics. Global cases decreased by 48%, hospitalizations declined by 35% and deaths decreased by 44% between March and April, according to WHO. The U.K. Health Security Agency said last week it will continue to monitor the new variants, but “there is no change to the wider public health advice at this time.”
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