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New COVID-19 variants FLiRT (KP.2 and KP1.1) spreading globally

The Hindu — May 8, 2024, 11:00 AM UTC

Summary: New variants KP.2 and KP1.1, known as FLiRT, are descendants of Omicron JN.1. FLiRT cases are rising globally, with 238 KP.2 and 30 KP1.1 cases in India. KP.2 is more prevalent, accounting for 25% of new U.S. cases. It shows increased immune resistance, challenging vaccine protection. Experts recommend updating vaccines. Precautions include hygiene, masks, distancing, and vaccination. COVID-19 remains a concern for public health.

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Article metrics
Significance6.3
Scale8.0
Magnitude7.0
Potential7.5
Novelty6.0
Actionability8.5
Immediacy9.0
Positivity4.0
Credibility9.0

Timeline:

  1. [3.3]
    FLiRT variant spreading rapidly, Maharashtra leads with 146 cases (Republic World)
    8h
    Source
  2. [2.8]
    New KP.2 Covid variant infects 40 in Bengal, 272 in India (Millennium Post)
    21h
    Source
  3. [5.1]
    New Covid variants raise summer surge fears (Financial Times)
    1d
    Source
  4. [4.5]
    FLiRT variants raise summer Covid wave concerns (CNN)
    3d
    Source
  5. [2.6]
    New Covid variant KP.2 found in Hong Kong sewage (South China Morning Post)
    3d
    Source
  6. [4.8]
    FLiRT Covid-19 sub-lineage KP.2 dominant in Maharashtra (Hindustan Times)
    4d
    Source
  7. [3.8]
    New Covid FLiRT variant causing rise in UK cases (Birmingham Live)
    4d
    Source
  8. [3.3]
    New FLiRT Covid variant spreading in UK, similar symptoms (Birmingham Live)
    5d
    Source
  9. [3.1]
    Maharashtra reports 91 cases of Omicron subvariant KP.2 (ABP Live)
    5d
    Source
  10. [2.3]
    New COVID-19 subvariant KP.2 dominant in Canada (CTV News Toronto)
    5d
    Source
  11. [4.2]
    New Covid variant FLiRT in India causing rising cases (India.com)
    6d
    Source
  12. [4.2]
    New FLiRT variants causing surge in Covid cases in UK (Manchester Evening News)
    6d
    Source
  13. [3.1]
    Maharashtra sees rise in Covid-19 cases due to FLiRT sub-variant (India.com)
    6d
    Source
  14. [4.0]
    New Covid variant FLiRT dominant in US, symptoms similar (News18)
    6d
    Source
  15. [3.8]
    Maharashtra reports 91 KP.2 Omicron cases, AstraZeneca vaccine recalled (mid-day.com)
    6d
    Source
  16. [4.2]
    FLiRT COVID variant in India, Maharashtra reports 91 cases (TheHealthSite)
    6d
    Source
  17. [4.0]
    Maharashtra on high alert with 91 Omicron KP.2 cases (India.com)
    7d
    Source
  18. [4.4]
    FLiRT COVID-19 variant more infectious, evades immunity, 250 cases in India (The Indian Express)
    7d
    Source
  19. [2.6]
    Maharashtra detects 91 cases of Omicron subvariant KP.2 (CNBCTV18)
    8d
    Source
  20. [2.2]
    Maharashtra reports 91 Omicron KP.2 cases amid US surge (News18)
    8d
    Source
  21. [4.8]
    New Covid-19 variant FLiRT raises concerns in US (Hindustan Times)
    10d
    Source
  22. [5.0]
    New COVID-19 variant 'FLiRT' evades immunity, infects vaccinated: Experts (TheHealthSite)
    10d
    Source
  23. [4.6]
    FLiRT COVID-19 variant spreading rapidly in US (TheHealthSite)
    12d
    Source
  24. [3.8]
    New Covid strain FLiRT raises global concerns over vaccine resistance (The Mirror)
    13d
    Source
  25. [3.6]
    New FLiRT COVID-19 variants, including KP.2, raise concerns (Boston 25 News)
    14d
    Source
  26. [4.4]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' spreading globally, derived from Omicron (Health shots)
    14d
    Source
  27. [3.4]
    New COVID-19 variant FLiRT spreading in US (Connected to India)
    14d
    Source
  28. [4.3]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' evades immune system: Experts (The Statesman)
    14d
    Source
  29. [4.6]
    New Covid variant FLiRT surges in US, similar to Omicron (Jagran English)
    14d
    Source
  30. [5.0]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' evades immune system: Experts (Zee Business)
    15d
    Source
  31. [4.4]
    New Covid variant 'FLiRT' evades immune system: Experts (The Siasat Daily)
    15d
    Source
  32. [4.5]
    New Covid variant FLiRT spreading rapidly in US, evading immunity (Mint)
    15d
    Source
  33. [4.3]
    New Covid variant FLiRT spreads in US, more infectious (Hindustan Times)
    16d
    Source
  34. [3.9]
    New SARS-CoV-2 KP.2 variant defies vaccines, spreads faster (News-Medical.Net)
    20d
    Source