Newest on variants, signs, vaccines
President Joe Biden examined constructive for COVID-19 following an occasion Wednesday in Las Vegas, the White Home confirmed.
That is the third time the president has examined constructive for the virus. And Biden isn’t alone: the positivity charges for COVID-19 have been rising lately, as have visits to the emergency division and deaths.
Biden, 81, is vaccinated and boosted and is “experiencing delicate signs,” White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned in a press release.
A majority of circumstances nonetheless come from the newest variant of COVID-19 often known as KP.3, in response to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
CDC information utilizing the Nowcast information tracker exhibits that in a two-week interval from June 23 to July 6, KP.3 accounts for practically 37% of COVID-19 circumstances within the U.S. Different variants of the virus nonetheless account for infections of COVID-19 within the U.S., together with KP.2 and “FLiRT.”
Here is what to know in regards to the present state of COVID-19 within the U.S.
Biden’s age makes COVID dangerous.Is his well being at risk?
Present COVID loss of life, hospitalization charges
As charges for constructive exams and emergency room visits have elevated, so have the charges for deaths and hospitalizations, CDC information exhibits.
As of July 6, the CDC reported an 11% improve in check positivity from the final week, and a 1.3% improve in COVID-19 emergency division visits from the earlier week.
There was additionally a 0.8% improve in COVID-19 deaths from the final week.
COVID KP.3 variant
KP.3 is the biggest COVID variant impacting individuals proper now. The strand accounts for a 36.9% share of latest COVID-19 circumstances within the two-week interval ending July 6, in response to the latest CDC information obtainable. Simply behind the KP.3 strand is the KP.2 strand, which accounts for twenty-four.4% of circumstances, the CDC reviews.
KP.3 is a “sublineage of the JN.1 lineage,” which come from the Omicron variant, CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman beforehand advised USA TODAY.
“KP.3 developed from JN.1, which was the key viral lineage circulating since December 2023,” Norman mentioned. “It is extremely much like JN.1 and solely has two modifications in spike in comparison with JN.1.”
COVID-19 KP.3 variant signs
In a press release beforehand given to USA TODAY, Norman mentioned signs related to KP.3 are an identical to these from the JN.1 variant. These embrace:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nostril
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Issue respiration
- Fatigue
- New lack of style or odor
- “Mind fog” (feeling much less wakeful and conscious)
- Gastrointestinal signs (upset abdomen, delicate diarrhea, vomiting)
The CDC notes that the checklist doesn’t embrace all potential signs and that signs could change with new variants and may fluctuate by particular person.
Normally, the company says, individuals with COVID-19 have a variety of signs, starting from delicate to extreme sickness. Signs could seem two to 14 days after publicity.
Present COVID vaccine pointers
At present, the CDC recommends the 2023–2024 up to date COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax to guard in opposition to the virus.
In June, the CDC Director adopted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ suggestions to be used of the newest 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines in individuals ages 6 months and older, pending FDA approval.
The up to date vaccines are set to be launched within the fall, forward of anticipated winter upticks in COVID-19 circumstances.
What number of occasions has Biden had COVID?
Biden has examined constructive for COVID-19 thrice. He first caught the virus in July 2022 after he had already obtained the vaccine and two boosters. He took Paxlovid, self-isolated, and continued to work within the White Home.
After rising from a five-day isolation interval, Biden examined constructive for COVID a second time. Biden mentioned he skilled no signs throughout the rebound case, however he returned to isolation once more till he examined damaging.
Wednesday’s announcement marked the third time the president has examined constructive for the virus.
Contributing: Rachel Barber, USA TODAY.
