What is new Covid variant FLiRT, is it dangerous, and what are the symptoms?

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The FLiRT variant, a group of new Covid-19 variants belonging to Omicron's JN.1 lineage, is rapidly replacing the previous variant, Eris, in the US, the UK, New Zealand, and South Korea, according to experts. Variants KP.2 and KP 1.1, considered more infectious than previous Omicron variants, are causing concern. However, experts believe the symptoms remain the same. KP.2 has taken over the JN.1 variant in the US.

Health authorities note that even though the cases of hospitalization are low, the number of infections is expected to rise as temperatures rise across the country.

What is New Covid-19 Variant FLiRT?

FLiRT is based on the technical names for the mutations of the virus, one of which includes the letters F and L, and another of which includes the letters R and T. Scientists say that within this group of variants, the most concern is over KP.2.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, KP.2 has accounted for around 25 per cent of new sequenced cases in the last two weeks, across the US. However, it has still not become as widespread in the country.

How dangerous is Covid FLiRT Variant?

According to experts, efforts are still on to understand whether FLiRT is as contagious and deadly as its predecessors - increasing the number of infections and hospitalizations. FLiRT also has some concerning features - like changes in the spike protein, which play an important role in helping SARS-CoV-2 take hold, colonize the body, and make people sick.

Officials say most people are vulnerable as only 22 per cent of American adults have gotten the latest COVID vaccine. And since many people may not have had the virus in a while, they are ripe for reinfection. However, data also shows that even those who have gotten the booster may not be well-protected against a potential surge.

Signs and symptoms of Covid Flirt Variant

According to scientists, the symptoms of FLiRT are not significantly different from the previously known COVID-19 variants, which are:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Body aches
• Loss of smell and taste
• Sore throat
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Cough
• Breathlessness
• Fatigue
• Digestive issues

Doctors say to know if you have contracted this variant, a specific genomic test would be performed.

Should India be worried?

Experts believe that the newest variant has not transformed the infected into a large number of hospitalisations and till now has remained a relatively small wave. The overall mortality rate has also not increased.

Even though the virus continues to change its form and see an uptick every changing season, a few things you can do to prevent yourself include:

• Get vaccinated
• Stay home when you are not well
• Wear a mask in public
• Maintain distance or completely avoid crowded places

FLiRT, a group of new Covid-19 variants belonging to Omicron's JN.1 lineage, is spreading fast in the US, raising concern about a new wave of infections in summer. With new mutations, the variants KP.2 and KP 1.1 are considered to more infectious than previous Omicron variants, but experts say the symptoms remain more or less the same. Vaccination and preventive measures are advised to curb the spread.