New Covid Variant Reported. Codename: FLiRT

[RAMROD 117,257]

More than a third of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are now estimated to be from a new, fast-growing member of a group of so-called "FLiRT" variants, nicknamed for their small but distinctive changes relative to the JN.1 strain. JN.1 was the variant behind this past winter wave of infections.

The largest among them, called KP.2 by scientists, has quickly multiplied in recent weeks to become the now-dominant new COVID-19 strain. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's every-other-week variant estimates, KP.2 and another strain with the same FLiRT mutations, called KP.1.1, together make up a projected 35.3% of infections this week. This is up from 7.1% a month ago.

However, the swift change in circulating variants has resulted in the Food and Drug Administration this week delaying a key step in its process for picking out the strain to target with this fall's COVID-19 vaccines, citing the need for more "up-to-date" data.

While federal requirements for hospitals to report COVID-19 data to authorities lapsed this month, the CDC says it still has reliable figures from sources like wastewater testing and emergency rooms to continue tracking activity from the virus.

The nickname FLiRT comes from two distinctive mutations seen in several descendants of the JN.1 variant that have sprung up around the world after its sweep over the winter. Some of the largest strains with FLiRT mutations in the U.S. right now are KP.2 and KP.1.1.

"It is essentially just making a word out of the specific amino acid changes in the spike protein F456L + R346T, or phenylalanine (F) to leucine (L) at position 456 and arginine [R] to threonine [T] at position 346," Canadian biologist Ryan Gregory, a professor at the University of Guelph, told CBS News in an email. 

Gregory coined this nickname in March, and it gained traction among the variant trackers who have spotted and nicknamed many distinctive changes to the virus during the pandemic. Though unofficial, these nicknames have become commonly used names for a number of variants.

FLiRT won out over another nickname — "tiLT" variants — which had been coined by Australian consultant Mike Honey. FLiRT refers to a collection of faster-growing JN.1 offshoots the trackers are keeping an eye on, KP.2 among them.

The CDC has not made any changes to its current vaccine recommendations, which were last updated in April. But the emergence of these new JN.1 variant descendants like KP.2 might affect what vaccine the FDA picks out for this coming fall and winter.

Most Americans remain eligible to get at least one dose of this past season's updated COVID-19 vaccine, which CDC data so far suggests was up to 51% effective against emergency room or urgent care visits during a time when JN.1 was on the rise.
 

 

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/flirt-covid-variants-us-cases/
 

TCB is coming, and so does Covid. We are so back.., to 2020 

[Republicanne 7,910]

 

 

[Bradley 60,242]

The journey continues 

Spoiler

with LG7  

 

[LADYGAGA10MONSTER 3,596]

I find it hilarious with this new covid variant that she decided to release the date for concert film

[Anderson123 42,740]

Gaga announces Chromatica related content. 

World: here comes a new pandemic y’all. Cancel those Sour Candy Mv plans. 
 

[TheSine 6,912]

Anyone else stopped caring?

[Republicanne 7,910]

4 minutes ago, TheSine said:

Anyone else stopped caring?

Like 2 years ago?

[PartySick 172,975]

Girl last time I tried to get a covid vaccine the closest place that had them was a clinic a county over and it cost $200+

Covid tests are $150 when done by a doctor 

[PartySick 172,975]

5 minutes ago, TheSine said:

Anyone else stopped caring?

When my grandpa died I didn't care about catching it anymore 'cause I was mostly worried for his health.

I just got over my 3rd infection

[Roughhouse Dandy 13,699]

The desensitization is real. At this point I just stay away from big crowds unless it's necessary, sanitize my hands as much as possible, and don't touch my face unless I've just washed them. It's worked pretty well so far! Fingers crossed that continues. 

[RAMROD 117,257]

14 minutes ago, PartySick said:

Girl last time I tried to get a covid vaccine the closest place that had them was a clinic a county over and it cost $200+

Covid tests are $150 when done by a doctor 

Wait, why is it not free? 

[Plastic Flower 5,586]

13 minutes ago, PartySick said:

When my grandpa died I didn't care about catching it anymore 'cause I was mostly worried for his health.

I just got over my 3rd infection

Same thing happened to me. I got so frustrated bc I had received all my vaccines.  

[Bonkers 30,860]

tbh, we could use a variant that goes hard on people who've never been vaccinated before the election

[Rat Boy 43,847]

It’s called Flirt? 

[Bonkers 30,860]

Just now, Rat Boy said:

It’s called Flirt? 

yes