The emergence of FLiRT variants underscores the persistent threat of COVID-19, despite declining hospitalizations and relaxed restrictions. As the public adapts to living with COVID-19 as a part of everyday life, the appearance of new variants serves as a stark reminder that the virus continues to circulate and evolve. While hospitalizations are at record lows and many have grown accustomed to the presence of COVID-19, the emergence of FLiRT variants signals that the pandemic is far from over.

 

Despite the positive outlook in terms of hospitalizations and disease spread, uncertainty looms over the evolution of the virus and its potential to cause future outbreaks. The recent phaseout of mandated hospital reporting further adds to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 surveillance and tracking efforts.

 

While the current COVID-19 situation is the most promising it has been in four years, there is still a lingering apprehension about the possibility of a resurgence in cases. The prevalence of the KP.2 variant, accounting for a quarter of U.S. cases, and the rise of its sister variant KP.1.1, highlight the ongoing evolution of the virus and the need for continued vigilance.

 

Despite the emergence of new variants, the effectiveness of existing vaccines against serious illness remains promising. However, concerns persist regarding vaccination rates and the potential for a summer wave as immunity wanes and the virus continues to mutate.

 

The recent delay in the FDA advisory meeting to decide on updated COVID shots reflects the need for additional data on circulating variants. While the delay is not expected to impact the fall rollout of vaccines, it underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and adaptation in response to evolving threats.

 

In summary, while the COVID-19 outlook appears positive in many aspects, the emergence of FLiRT variants serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the virus. Continued vigilance, vaccination, and surveillance efforts are essential in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and preventing future outbreaks.

 

2024-05-10

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

The good news here is, this latest edition of new COVID variants thus far haven't generated any signs of increasing infections or increased hospitalizations in the U.S. The rates for both have been steadily trending down in the U.S., even as the share of the newest variants has been rising compared to their predecessors.

 

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

 

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklyhospitaladmissions_select_00

 

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#wastewater-surveillance

 

 

On the flip side, the potential issues are some initial signs that the newest variants may be more resistant to the current COVID vaccines, and more than three-fourths of the U.S. population haven't even received the most recent XBB variant vaccine rolled out in the U.S. starting last fall, meaning there's potential risks there.

 

"Speaking to WebMD, Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, said the FLiRT variants display some concerning changes. One is alterations in the virus' spike protein, which the virus uses to invade the body and trigger illness.

 

That type of change worries experts, who point to waning vaccination rates among Americans. Since September 2023, just 22.6% of Americans have gotten themselves an updated 2023-2024 COVID vaccine, the CDC said.

 

It's possible that even folks who got the latest COVID vaccine aren't well-protected against JN.1 or the FLiRT variants: One preprint study released this week from researchers at Harvard University suggests waning effectiveness against those strains. That study has not been peer-reviewed, however."

 

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-covid-variants-flirt.html

 

“Surveillance efforts” 

sounds rather ominous 

In this case it is commonly wastewater surveillance- counting numbers of virus particles and identifying subtypes present in human sewage.