Another Covid wave? Omicron variant FLiRT spreading like wildfire in the U.S., is it life-threatening?

As infections seem to be decreasing following a surge of infections over the summer, the Covid map displays the states with the highest rates of the virus. Based on new data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while overall rates seem to be declining, some states are still seeing an upward trend. Nine Southern and Central states currently have the highest infection rates. In these areas, about one in five COVID tests are positive.

The Northeast has seen the biggest increase in cases. Since April, new Omicron variant subtypes have been observed spreading throughout the US. Known as FLiRT subvariants, the CDC estimates that they currently represent about 80% of infections in the nation. Except for results from at-home tests, the CDC reported that 17% of all COVID tests were positive in the week ending August 24.

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The data indicates a decrease of 0.8 per cent from the previous week. Ten Health and Human Services regions are represented on the map that displays the distribution of positive tests. In terms of the most infections, regions six and seven tied for first place, with 19.1% of tests yielding a positive result in the previous week. Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Oklahoma make up region six; Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska make up region seven.

In the past two weeks, KP.3.1.1, a member of the FLiRT virus family, has been identified as the dominant subvariant responsible for more than 40% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States.

Hospitalizations have not increased despite a steady increase in infections over the summer, indicating that the new FLiRT variants are more contagious but typically result in less severe symptoms. Severe illness is still a possibility for those who are vulnerable.

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FAQs

Which areas are the highest in the world right now for COVID-19 infections?
With nearly 19.1% of tests returning positive, regions six (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas) and seven (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) have the highest infection rates.

Are more serious illnesses being caused by the new FLiRT subvariants?
The FLiRT subvariants typically cause less severe symptoms, even though they are more infectious.