At-home COVID-19 antigen tests showing a positive result are pictured in New York, April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)
California is among the states seeing an uptick in COVID-19 indicators after a relatively calm spring.
The FLiRT sub-variants, officially known as KP.2, KP.3 and KP.1., are sub-variants of Omicron and have overtaken the dominant winter variant, known as JN.1.
KP.2 accounted for 28.2% of COVID infections in the United States during the third week of May, making it the dominant coronavirus variant in the country; another, KP.1.1, accounted for 7.1% of cases, according to a Yale Medicine blog post.
Some experts have suggested the latest subvariants could lead to a summer surge, but current reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show COVID-19 cases have declined since January and remain “minimal.”
Although not everything is known about the newly mutated virus, experts wonder whether FLiRT will continue to evolve before winter, when infections and hospitalizations typically increase, and whether virus strains will be included as part of a updated fall COVID vaccine.
Here’s a look at what authorities know so far and what you can do to stay protected.
Vaccines
Doctors continue to urge people to consider getting up-to-date vaccinations, especially if they are in higher risk groups.
In California, only 36% of people aged 65 and older have received an updated vaccination, first available in September.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged everyone 6 months and older to receive a dose of the updated vaccine. A second dose is also recommended for people aged 65 and older, as long as at least four months have passed since their last injection, according to the LA Times.
Essay
COVID tests should be able to detect FLiRT strains, according to Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist Scott Roberts.
Experts recommend that people who feel sick get tested daily. People should consider taking a rapid COVID test once a day for three to five consecutive days after experiencing symptoms. It is important to note that it may take longer for a rapid COVID-19 test to return a positive result after the onset of illness.
Planning
Interested people can also ask their doctor about Paxlovid, an antiviral medication for people at risk of severe COVID-19 with mild to moderate illness, reducing the risk of hospitalization and death.
Although less common today, masks are also useful in preventing infections, especially in crowded situations.
What to do if you get sick
Health authorities still recommend that people who test positive for COVID-19 wear a mask, avoid contact with people at higher risk of contracting a severe form of COVID-19 and, if necessary, seek medical attention. according to updated guidelines released in January.
Since January 9, people who test positive for COVID-19 but have mild symptoms and do not have a fever without the aid of medication can return to school or work after one day isolation.
More COVID-19 guidelines can be found here.
News Source : ktla.com
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