A new COVID-19 variant called KP.3is on the rise in the United States and has been detected in California.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KP.3 has become the dominant variant in the U.S., overtaking the previously dominant JN.1 variant. For the two-week period ending June 8, KP.3 made up 25% of COVID-19 cases in the country, up from 9.4% for the two weeks ending May 11.
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."
Here's what you need to know about the new variant and how to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Has the new COVID-19 variant been detected in Riverside County?
According to the California Department of Public Health Tracking Variants page, of the total COVID-19 cases sequenced in May, 22.9% were JN.1 and 9.2% were KP.3. Overall in California, COVID-19 test positivity has increased in recent weeks, with the most recent seven-day rate at 6.4%. It's a far cry from the height of the pandemic, but still notable considering that the seven-day test positivity rate was around 2% about a month ago.
Barbara Cole, director of Disease Control for Riverside County Public Health, could not confirm if KP.3 cases were being reported in the county. The state COVID-19 dashboard has changed since the start of the pandemic, and detailed information, such as county data and variant breakdowns, is not available as it once was. Riverside County Public Health's COVID-19 page directs people to the California Department of Public Health dashboard.
"We are still seeing some reports of COVID. We've seen it in some of our congregate settings, like a long-term care facility, but I don't know that it's KP.3," Cole said. "But because it is a fast moving variant, new cases may be linked to KP.3."
Wastewater data from the Valley Sanitary District in Indio show that COVID-19 has steadily increased since April. So far in June, there have been 57,344 viral copies per liter of wastewater reported, up from May's 35,563 viral copies per liter of wastewater. The report did not indicate which strains of COVID-19 were detected in wastewater.
What are the symptoms of KP.3?
According to USA Today, the symptoms associated with KP.3 are identical to those from JN.1. They 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, especially if they have any underlying health conditions. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
"As there are new variants, one of the issues is whether they will make people sicker. Are they more easily transmitted from one person to another? Do the vaccines and treatments still work? That's why each new variant causes concerns in terms of the impact," Cole said.
Will vaccines be efficient against the new COVID-19 variant?
Cole said the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine will still provide protection. She did not have information as to how effective the vaccine was with the current strain, but still encouraged people to get their shots to minimize illness if they do fall sick with COVID-19.
The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 6 months old and older.
Recently, a Food and Drug Administration panel meet to discuss updates to a COVID vaccine for the fall. 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.
Cole also reminds residents of basic health control measures, including washing their hands frequently, staying home if they're sick and isolating until symptoms improve. The latest guidelines from the CDC state that people who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to isolate for five days, but rather they can return to school or work once they're feeling better and have been without a fever for 24 hours.
She added that people who become sick with COVID-19 and experience severe symptoms should contact their health care provider to discuss possible treatment options.
USA Today reporting has been used in this story.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
