Washington, D.C. – The KP.3.1.1 COVID-19 variant, a member of the Omicron family, has emerged as the predominant strain of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the United States, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The variant, which is part of a cluster of JN.1-derived variants, has been linked to a noticeable uptick in COVID-19 cases across the country.
The CDC’s data for the two-week period ending August 17 indicates that KP.3.1.1 is now responsible for approximately 31 to 43 percent of COVID-19 clinical specimens analyzed. This represents a significant increase from the 20 to 26 percent range observed in the previous two-week period ending August 3.
This rise in the prevalence of KP.3.1.1 coincides with continued high levels of COVID-19 activity, as reflected in key indicators such as test positivity rates, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. These elevated markers of COVID-19 activity are particularly pronounced among older adults (ages 65 and above) and young children (under 2 years old).
In response to the growing impact of this variant, the CDC emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccination to prevent severe illness. The agency also announced that updated COVID-19 vaccines, designed to offer enhanced protection during the 2024 to 2025 respiratory virus season, will be available this fall.
The CDC continues to advise the public to stay informed about vaccination options and to take preventive measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
