The very latest data from the “Centers for Disease Control & Prevention” show the U.S. could be experiencing a summer COVID surge.

Wastewater testing used to determine COVID levels in a community has shown a recent and sharp uptick of the virus in several states – including Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Montana and New Mexico, and also Emergency Room visits related to COVID, have also increased dramatically spiking almost 13% in one week, with the biggest jumps in Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia, though they still account for only 0.6% of all ER visits nationwide.  According to the CDC, the number of COVID infections is growing, OR likely growing in 34 states – including in Alabama.

The other states show a decline or stable infection rates.

Experts point to new dominant ‘FLiRT’ subvariants – such as KP.3 for the apparent summer surge.   FLiRT variants that include KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1.1 or any of those starting with KP or JN, combined for more than 47% of all COVID cases in the past two weeks in the U.S.  The CDC pointed out that such mutations are to be expected.  The positive news is that the FLiRT variants – DO NOT – appear to cause more severe illness than previous variants – and the pattern of infection appears to be the same.

Common symptoms for FLiRT include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fever or chills
• New loss of sense of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea