Is it too early to say Coronavirus has ended? It probably is. The number of COVID-19 have begun rising again in the United State with new variants – FLiRT and now KP.3. US President Joe Biden, too, tested positive for COVID-19 while travelling on Wednesday in Las Vegas and is experiencing “mild symptoms” from the infection, the White House said.
The new KP.3 variant is fast spreading in the US with the average daily cases of Covid rising to 307 by the end of the first week of July. According to the latest data from the Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36.9 per cent Covid cases between June 23 and July 6 were those of the KP.3 variant.
What is the KP.3 Variant?
Reports say that the KP.3 variant is similar to the JN.1 variant of COVID-19. It also holds similarities to the FLiRT variants KP.1 and KP. 2. While the CDC is yet to provide information about the characteristics of the KP.3 variant, health experts have been observing the cases closely to get more details.
Symptoms of the KP.3 Variant
Reports have said that the symptoms of the KP.3 COVID-19 strain are similar to those of the JN.1 variant. The symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
The CDC has also advised seeking emergency medical attention in case of the following severe symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, grey, or blue-coloured skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
What WHO Has Said in its Latest Advisory
With cases rising in not just the US but other nations as well, the World Health Organisation has asked people to stay alert, saying COVID-19 is still not over. The WHO has warned that those planning summer holidays should take COVID precautions, get vaccinated, wear a mask, and test in time.
According to a WHO statement on July 15, SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate increased from 5.6 to 7.1 per cent across 84 countries during the period from May 27 to June 23.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also stated that vaccination rates among health professionals and the over-60s were “alarmingly falling”. “WHO recommends that people in the highest-risk groups receive a COVID-19 vaccine within 12 months of their last dose,” Tedros said.