Cases of the latest COVID-19 variant, also known as KP.3, are on the rise in the United States.
According to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the KP.3 variant has become the dominant variant in the U.S., overtaking the previously dominant JN.1 variant.
CDC data using the Nowcast data tracker shows that in a two-week period from May 26 to June 8, KP.3 accounts for 25% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.. Other variants of the virus still account for infections of COVID-19 in the U.S., including KP.2 and “FLiRT.”
Here’s what you should know about the KP.3 variant of COVID-19.
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What is the KP.3 variant?
KP.3 is a “sublineage of the JN.1 lineage,” which come from the Omicron variant, CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman previously told USA TODAY.
“KP.3 evolved from JN.1, which was the major viral lineage circulating since December 2023,” Norman said. “It is very similar to JN.1 and only has two changes in spike compared to JN.1.”
The KP.3 strand accounts for a 25% share of new COVID-19 cases in the two-week period ending June 8, according to the most recent CDC data available. Just behind the KP.3 strand is the KP.2 strand, which accounts for 22.5% of cases, the CDC reports.
What is the state of COVID cases in US?
Although the rates for deaths and hospitalizations have declined significantly, the data also shows that the rates for positive tests and emergency room visits are on the rise.
As of June 10, the CDC reported a 0.4% increase in test positivity from the last week, and a 16.2% increase in COVID-19 emergency department visits from the previous week.
COVID-19 test positivity by state
Here’s a display showing the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in the week ending June 1, per the CDC.
US COVID-19 weekly deaths
COVID-19 deaths recorded in the week ending June 1 (144) were the lowest amount since March 2020, according to CDC data.
What are the symptoms of the KP.3 COVID-19 variant?
In a statement previously given to USA TODAY, Norman said symptoms associated with KP.3 are identical to those from the JN.1 variant. Those include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- New loss of taste or smell
- “Brain fog” (feeling less wakeful and aware)
- Gastrointestinal symptoms (upset stomach, mild diarrhea, vomiting)
The CDC notes that the list does not include all possible symptoms and that symptoms may change with new variants and can vary by person.
In general, the agency says, people with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
COVID fall vaccine will target JN.1
The dominant emergence of the KP.3 variant comes on the heels of an FDA panel meeting this month to discuss updates to a COVID vaccine for the fall.
During the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, health experts from vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax each told the panel they were prepared to make JN.1-targeted vaccines available in August pending FDA approval.
The updated vaccines are set to be released in the fall, ahead of expected winter upticks in COVID-19 cases.
Contributing:Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY.
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