COVID "likely growing" in D.C. and 12 states, CDC estimates

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COVID "likely growing" in D.C. and 12 states, CDC estimates
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-likely-growing-states-cdc-estimates/

By Alexander Tin Edited By Paula Cohen

May 17, 2024 / 1:24 PM EDT / CBS News


..................Preliminary data from the CDC's COVID-19 wastewater surveillance also estimates that levels of the virus remain "minimal" nationwide, though virus levels appear to be trending up in sewersheds from the West.......................


.............The dominant strains of the virus circulating at the moment are known as KP.2 and KP.1.1, informally nicknamed the "FLiRT" variants. Health officials have said the two strains are closely related to the JN.1 variant from this past winter's wave, apart from two minor changes that might be enabling them to spread.

A CDC spokesperson said on May 10 that the agency does not think the variants are "causing an increase in infections as transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is low."

"Based on current data there are no indicators that KP.2 would cause more severe illness than other strains. CDC will continue to monitor community transmission of the virus and how vaccines perform against this strain," the spokesperson had said.