New COVID-19 Variants FLiRT Are Circulating Fast; Know Symptoms, Severity
new covid-19 variants flirt are circulating fast; know symptoms, severity
FLiRT – Omicron’s JN.1 lineage, is rapidly replacing the previous variant, Eris, in the US, the UK, New Zealand, and South Korea, raising concerns about a new wave of infections in the summer, according to experts. With new mutations, the variants KP.2 and KP 1.1 are considered more infectious than previous Omicron variants. However, experts believe the symptoms remain the same. KP.2 has taken over the JN.1 variant in the US.
According to health authorities, even though the cases of hospitalization are low, the number of infections is expected to rise as temperatures rise across the country.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KP.2 has accounted for around 25 per cent of new sequenced cases in the last two weeks, across the US. However, it has still not become as widespread in the country.
Officials say most people are vulnerable as only 22 per cent of American adults have gotten the latest COVID vaccine. And since many people may not have had the virus in a while, they are ripe for reinfection. However, data also shows that even those who have gotten the booster may not be well-protected against a potential surge.
Signs and symptoms of Covid Flirt Variant
According to scientists, the symptoms of FLiRT are not significantly different from the previously known COVID-19 variants, which are:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Body aches
- Loss of smell and taste
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Cough
- Breathlessness
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues
Doctors say to know if you have contracted this variant, a specific genomic test would be performed.
Should India be worried?
Experts believe that the newest variant has not transformed the infected into a large number of hospitalisations and till now has remained a relatively small wave. The overall mortality rate has also not increased.
Even though the virus continues to change its form and see an uptick every changing season, a few things you can do to prevent yourself include:
- Get vaccinated
- Stay home when you are not well
- Wear a mask in public
- Maintain distance or completely avoid crowded places