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COVID-19 Variant KP.3.1.1 Dominant in US as Infections Rise

by Colleen Fleiss on Aug 25 2024 11:54 PM
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COVID-19 Variant KP.3.1.1 Dominant in US as Infections Rise
The KP.3.1.1 Covid-19 variant (1 Trusted Source
KP.3.1.1 is the Predominant Variant as COVID-19 Activity Increases

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), which is now the most common type of coronavirus in the US, has been leading to a rise in infections, according to the CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What is KP.3.1.1 COVID Variant

KP.3.1.1, of the Omicron family, is among many currently co-circulating JN.1-derived variants in the US, Xinhua news agency reported. Like other variants, it contains mutations in its genetic material that may affect its transmissibility, severity, or resistance to immunity from vaccines or prior infections. Researchers are actively studying KP.3.1.1 to understand its characteristics and impacts on public health.

For the two-week period ending August 17, KP.3.1.1 is predicted to account for between 31 percent and 43 percent of Covid-19 clinical specimens, compared to between 20 percent and 26 percent for the two-week period ending August 3, according to the latest CDC data released.

The rise in prevalence of KP.3.1.1 comes as markers of Covid-19 activity, including test positivity, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations, remain elevated, particularly among adults ages 65 years and older and children younger than 2 years. CDC recommends that the public get coronavirus vaccines to protect against serious illness from Covid-19 infection. Updated Covid-19 vaccines that can provide protection during the 2024 to 2025 respiratory virus season will be available in the fall, according to the agency.

Reference:
  1. KP.3.1.1 is the Predominant Variant as COVID-19 Activity Increases - (https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/whats-new/kp-3-1-1-is-the-predominant-variant.html)

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