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FLiRT variants of COVID-19 are emerging, potentially more transmissible

The Conversation — May 24, 2024, 08:00 AM UTC

Summary: COVID-19 has evolved into FLiRT variants, subvariants of the Omicron lineage, with mutations in the spike protein. FLiRT subvariants may be more transmissible and evade immunity better than previous variants. They are not associated with more severe illness. FLiRT is becoming dominant in the US and Australia. Boosters offer protection. Research on FLiRT's characteristics is ongoing. Rising infections pose a risk, especially for vulnerable individuals.

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Timeline:

  1. [4.4]
    California faces rising FLiRT subvariants, potential summer COVID surge (Los Angeles Times)
    109d 9h
    Source
  2. [3.9]
    FLiRT COVID subvariants spreading in California, vaccination rates low (KTLA Los Angeles)
    113d 3h
    Source
  3. [3.4]
    RSV and COVID cases increasing in Australia (Deniliquin Pastoral Times)
    113d 23h
    Source
  4. [3.9]
    FLiRT variants from Omicron lineage spreading, boosters recommended (Canberra CityNews)
    115d 1h
    Source
  5. [4.8]
    New FLiRT COVID variant more transmissible, evades immunity, dominant (Onmanorama)
    116d 17h
    Source
  6. [3.6]
    FLiRT Covid-19 variants have 3 spike protein mutations (AsiaOne)
    116d 19h
    Source
  7. [5.6]
    FLiRT Covid-19 variants dominant globally, with spike protein mutations (The Straits Times)
    117d 10h

    ScoresSource
  8. [3.6]
    New COVID-19 variant Kp2 (FLiRT) spreading in US (WDIO)
    117d 10h
    Source
  9. [4.9]
    Summer spike in FLiRT variants prompts immune-boosting tips (CNBC)
    117d 12h
    Source
  10. [4.5]
    COVID cases rising in Australia due to FLiRT variant (ABC News)
    118d 4h
    Source
  11. [4.4]
    New COVID subvariants FLiRT detected in Australia, more transmissible (ABC News)
    119d 3h
    Source
  12. [4.7]
    New Covid FLiRT variants raise summer spike concerns (CNBC)
    119d 18h
    Source
  13. [3.3]
    FLiRT variant spreading rapidly, Maharashtra leads with 146 cases (Republic World)
    121d 17h
    Source
  14. [5.1]
    New Covid variants raise summer surge fears (Financial Times)
    122d 13h

    ScoresSource
  15. [4.5]
    FLiRT variants raise summer Covid wave concerns (CNN)
    124d 12h
    Source
  16. [2.6]
    New Covid variant KP.2 found in Hong Kong sewage (South China Morning Post)
    124d 20h
    Source
  17. [4.8]
    FLiRT Covid-19 sub-lineage KP.2 dominant in Maharashtra (Hindustan Times)
    125d 8h
    Source
  18. [3.8]
    New Covid FLiRT variant causing rise in UK cases (Birmingham Live)
    125d 12h
    Source
  19. [3.3]
    New FLiRT Covid variant spreading in UK, similar symptoms (Birmingham Live)
    126d 8h
    Source
  20. [3.1]
    Maharashtra reports 91 cases of Omicron subvariant KP.2 (ABP Live)
    126d 8h
    Source
  21. [2.3]
    New COVID-19 subvariant KP.2 dominant in Canada (CTV News Toronto)
    126d 13h
    Source
  22. [4.2]
    New Covid variant FLiRT in India causing rising cases (India.com)
    127d 5h
    Source
  23. [4.2]
    New FLiRT variants causing surge in Covid cases in UK (Manchester Evening News)
    127d 12h
    Source
  24. [3.1]
    Maharashtra sees rise in Covid-19 cases due to FLiRT sub-variant (India.com)
    127d 13h
    Source
  25. [4.0]
    New Covid variant FLiRT dominant in US, symptoms similar (News18)
    127d 15h
    Source
  26. [3.8]
    Maharashtra reports 91 KP.2 Omicron cases, AstraZeneca vaccine recalled (mid-day.com)
    127d 17h
    Source
  27. [4.2]
    FLiRT COVID variant in India, Maharashtra reports 91 cases (TheHealthSite)
    127d 19h
    Source
  28. [4.4]
    FLiRT COVID-19 variant more infectious, evades immunity, 250 cases in India (The Indian Express)
    128d 14h
    Source
  29. [4.0]
    Maharashtra on high alert with 91 Omicron KP.2 cases (India.com)
    128d 14h
    Source
  30. [2.6]
    Maharashtra detects 91 cases of Omicron subvariant KP.2 (CNBCTV18)
    129d 9h
    Source
  31. [2.2]
    Maharashtra reports 91 Omicron KP.2 cases amid US surge (News18)
    129d 14h
    Source
  32. [4.8]
    New Covid-19 variant FLiRT raises concerns in US (Hindustan Times)
    131d 15h
    Source
  33. [5.0]
    New COVID-19 variant 'FLiRT' evades immunity, infects vaccinated: Experts (TheHealthSite)
    131d 16h

    ScoresSource
  34. [6.3]
    New COVID-19 variants FLiRT (KP.2 and KP1.1) spreading globally (The Hindu)
    133d 14h

    ScoresSource
  35. [4.6]
    FLiRT COVID-19 variant spreading rapidly in US (TheHealthSite)
    133d 15h
    Source
  36. [3.8]
    New Covid strain FLiRT raises global concerns over vaccine resistance (The Mirror)
    134d 10h
    Source
  37. [3.6]
    New FLiRT COVID-19 variants, including KP.2, raise concerns (Boston 25 News)
    135d 10h
    Source
  38. [4.4]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' spreading globally, derived from Omicron (Health shots)
    135d 11h
    Source
  39. [3.4]
    New COVID-19 variant FLiRT spreading in US (Connected to India)
    135d 13h
    Source
  40. [4.3]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' evades immune system: Experts (The Statesman)
    135d 16h
    Source
  41. [4.6]
    New Covid variant FLiRT surges in US, similar to Omicron (Jagran English)
    135d 19h
    Source
  42. [5.0]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' evades immune system: Experts (Zee Business)
    136d 13h

    ScoresSource
  43. [4.4]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' evades immune system: Experts (The Siasat Daily)
    136d 14h
    Source
  44. [4.5]
    New Covid variant FLiRT spreading rapidly in US, evading immunity (Mint)
    136d 16h
    Source
  45. [4.3]
    New Covid variant FLiRT spreads in US, more infectious (Hindustan Times)
    137d 9h
    Source
  46. [3.9]
    New SARS-CoV-2 KP.2 variant defies vaccines, spreads faster (News-Medical.Net)
    141d 20h
    Source