Combat Rising COVID-19 Variants with CDC Guidelines - Health

COVID-19 Variants on the Rise Across the US

As the summer months bring warmer weather , COVID cases are increasing in the United States . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) data reveals that the KP.3 COVID-19 variant remains the dominant strain , with another variant , KP.3.1.1 , closely following behind .

The CDC 's Nowcast data tracker shows that from July 7 to July 20 , the KP.3 variant accounted for 32.9 % of positive infections , while KP.3.1.1 made up 17.7 % , together totaling 50.6 % of cases . In the previous two - week period , KP.3 had a positivity rate of 33.7 % , a slight decrease from the current period . On the other hand , KP.3.1.1 saw a significant increase from 6.8 % to 17.7 % during the same timeframe.

Combat Rising COVID-19 Variants with CDC Guidelines

 The CDC has not specified the specific symptoms associated with the KP.3 or KP.3.1.1 variants . However , general COVID-19 symptoms include fever , cough , shortness of breath , fatigue , muscle aches , headache , loss of taste or smell , sore throat , congestion , nausea , vomiting , and diarrhea.

COVID Cases Surge in Houston with FLiRT Variants

Houston has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases , with the amount of virus in the city 's wastewater reaching the highest level in over five months as of July 1 . Health officials attribute the rise to the FLiRT variants , which have shown increased infectivity and transmission capabilities , according to Dr. Peter Hotez.

The levels of COVID transmission in Houston are high and may be plateauing , indicating ongoing community spread . The U.S. CDC reports widespread virus transmission throughout Texas , prompting Hotez to advise masking up in crowded places and staying updated on vaccinations and boosters to curb the spread of the virus.

 Hotez notes that despite the high number of COVID cases , hospitals are in a better position compared to the early days of the pandemic . However , individuals who are not up - to - date on their vaccinations remain at risk of hospitalization.

Rising COVID-19 Test Positivity Rates Across States

CDC data indicates a 12.6 % increase in COVID-19 test positivity rates nationwide in the past week . In a significant uptick , four states saw a rise in positive cases , with Iowa and Kansas leading with a 5.6 % increase . The varying rates across states underscore the importance of continued vigilance and adherence to public health guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus.

To combat the surge in cases , the CDC recommends that individuals aged 6 and above receive the updated 2024 - 2025 COVID-19 vaccine to protect against emerging variants like KP.3 and FLiRT . As the battle against COVID-19 variants continues , staying informed and following preventive measures remain crucial in safeguarding public health.