New COVID-19 Variant KP.3 on the Rise: What You Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released new data showing a concerning rise in positive cases for the COVID-19 KP.3 variant. This variant has quickly become the frontrunner, accounting for 33.1% of positive cases, up from 25%. The KP.3 variant has overtaken the previously dominant JN.1 variant, which had held the top spot for several months.

Using the CDC’s Nowcast data tracker, projections for COVID variants over a two-week period show the KP.3 variant at 33.1%, with KP.2 following closely behind at 20.8% and JN.1 at only 1.6%. The CDC emphasizes that while the tool helps estimate current variant prevalence, it does not predict future virus spread.

The KP.3 variant is a sublineage of the Omicron variant, according to CDC Spokesperson Rosa Norman. Symptoms associated with KP.3 are similar to those of JN.1, including fever, cough, sore throat, and more. The CDC advises that symptoms may vary and change with new variants.

To protect against the KP.3 variant, Norman recommends that individuals aged 6 months and older get the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC data also shows a rise in COVID test positivity rates to 5.4%, with low numbers of deaths and hospitalizations compared to early in the pandemic.

As the KP.3 variant continues to spread, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others. Stay updated on the latest developments and follow guidelines from health authorities to help curb the spread of COVID-19 variants.