Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 16, 2024 5 months, 5 days, 17 hours, 11 minutes ago
U.S. Medical News: COVID-19 infections are once again on the rise across the United States, with Indiana being one of the states experiencing a significant uptick.
KP.3 variant drives COVID-19 surge In Indiana – United States.
Image Credit: YULIYA SHAVYRA - Getty Images/iStockphoto
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the primary driver behind this surge is a new variant known as KP.3.
KP.3 Variant Gains Ground in Indiana
The Indiana Health Department has reported 125 emergency department visits related to COVID-like symptoms and four hospitalizations for COVID-19 within the past week. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths associated with the virus during this period.
https://www.in.gov/health/
The KP.3 variant has quickly become a dominant strain in Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, accounting for 21.5% of infections in this area.
https://www.cdc.gov/forecast-outbreak-analytics/about/rt-estimates.html
Nationwide Spread of KP.3
The CDC's COVID-19 Data Tracker highlights the rapid spread of the KP.3 variant across the country. Since May, there has been a noticeable decline in the prevalence of the JN.1 variant, while cases of KP.3 and another variant, KP.2, have risen steadily. Between June 22, 2024, and July 6, 2024, KP.3 emerged as the leading variant nationwide, responsible for 31.3% of infections.
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions
CDC spokesperson, Rosa Norman, a confirmed that KP.3 evolved from JN.1, which had been the predominant variant since December 2023.
"Estimates predict that KP.3 is the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, making up 31.2 to 43% of viruses nationally," Norman told various
U.S. Medical News outlets and mainstream media. "KP.3 is projected to continue increasing as proportions of the variants that cause COVID-19."
Recognizing Symptoms of the KP.3 Variant
While the CDC has not identified any specific symptoms unique to the KP.3 variant, the symptoms are believed to be similar to those associated with the JN.1 variant. COVID-19 symptoms typically appear 2-14 days after exposure and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:
-Fever or chills
-Cough
-Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
-Fatigue
-Muscle or body aches
-Headache
-New loss of taste or smell
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-Sore throat
-Congestion or runny nose
-Nausea or vomiting
-Diarrhea
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
The U.S.CDC urges individuals to seek emergency medical attention if they experience any of the following severe symptoms:
-Trouble breathing
-Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
-New confusion
-Inability to wake or stay awake
-Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Precautions and Preventive Measures
As the KP.3 variant continues to spread, health officials recommend adhering to preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. These include wearing masks in crowded or indoor settings, maintaining social distancing and practicing good hand hygiene,
Community Response and Support
Communities across Indiana and the broader Region 5 area are urged to stay informed about the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and the KP.3 variant. Local health departments and the CDC continue to provide updates and resources to help individuals protect themselves and their loved ones.
Looking Ahead
The rise of the KP.3 variant serves as a reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. Continued vigilance, adherence to public health guidelines, and widespread vaccination efforts are essential to curbing the spread of this and other variants. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, communities can work together to navigate the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19.
Conclusion
As the KP.3 variant spreads across Indiana and the nation, understanding the nature of this new strain and taking appropriate precautions are crucial steps in managing its impact. Staying informed and practicing preventive measures can help mitigate the spread and protect public health.
For the latest U.S. Medical News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-zealand-reports-2640-new-covid-19-cases-and-30-deaths-while-flu-infections-are-now-starting-to-rise
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-infections-and-hospitalizations-rising-across-all-prefectures-in-japan
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