Emerging 'Cicada' COVID Variant Sees Rapid Rise in US Cases
COVID is BACK! 15% spike in cases in US, is 'Cicada' variant next wave?
The Economic Times
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The 'Cicada' variant of COVID-19, officially known as BA.3.2, is rapidly spreading in the United States, now accounting for over 20% of cases. This variant has already been noted in 23 countries and was previously linked to significant case numbers in Eastern Europe.
- 01The 'Cicada' variant, BA.3.2, is a highly mutated strain of COVID-19.
- 02It accounts for over 20% of COVID-19 cases in the United States as of early April.
- 03The variant was first identified earlier this year and has been reported in at least 23 countries.
- 04Health officials are monitoring its spread closely due to its rapid increase in cases.
- 05Wastewater data from Stanford University indicates a significant rise in infections linked to this variant.
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The 'Cicada' variant of COVID-19, scientifically identified as BA.3.2, is emerging as a significant concern in the United States, with new data indicating it now represents over 20% of COVID-19 cases. Initially reported to account for less than 4% of cases in mid-March, its prevalence has surged, prompting health officials to take notice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) had previously flagged this variant due to its presence in at least 23 countries, where it has been linked to up to 30% of cases in certain Eastern European regions. The tracking tool WasteWaterSCAN, developed by Stanford University, has provided crucial data on the variant's spread through wastewater analysis, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by evolving strains of the virus.
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The rise of the 'Cicada' variant may lead to increased public health measures and renewed concerns about COVID-19 transmission in communities across the US.
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