According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 infections are on the rise across much of the United States, including Indiana. The most common variant is the newest one, known as KP.3.
Here’s what we know.
According to the Indiana Department of Health, there have been 125 emergency room visits for COVID-like illnesses and four hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the past seven days. There have been no deaths.
In Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, the KP.3 variant led the way with 21.5% of infections attributed to that strain of the virus.
And local data reflects national figures.
KP.3 cases are on the rise across the country
The CDC’s COVID-19 Data Tracker shows COVID-19 variant projections. Since May, the prevalence of JN.1 has steadily declined while cases of KP.3 and KP.2 have increased. During a two-week period beginning June 22, 2024, and ending July 6, 2024, the most prevalent variant in the country was KP.3, accounting for 31.3% of infections.
According to CDC spokeswoman Rosa Norman, KP.3 evolved from JN.1, which had been the main viral lineage circulating since December 2023.
“Estimates predict that KP.3 is the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, representing 31.2% to 43% of viruses nationwide,” Norman told USA TODAY in a statement. “KP.3 is expected to continue to increase as a proportion of variants that cause COVID-19.”
As USA TODAY previously reported, the CDC has not said whether KP.3 has its own specific symptoms. Norman said the symptoms associated with KP.3 are similar to those of JN.1.
According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Possible symptoms of COVID-19 can be mild or severe and may include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body pain
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The CDC recommends seeking emergency medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Pale, gray or blue skin, lips or nails, depending on skin tone
Should I receive an updated COVID-19 booster?
The CDC also recommended earlier this month that nearly everyone over six months old get up-to-date COVID and flu vaccines ahead of the fall and winter virus season.
For more information on updated vaccines, see the article below.
More:CDC recommends updated COVID-19 and flu vaccinations ahead of fall and winter virus season
Ahjane Forbes covers trending news for USA TODAY. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Katie Wiseman is a trending news intern at IndyStar.
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