The KP.3 COVID-19 variant remains the dominant variant, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For a two-week period beginning June 23 and ending July 6, the CDC’s Nowcast data tracker showed the projections of COVID-19 variants. The KP.3 variant accounted for 36.9% of positive infections, followed by KP.2 at 24.4%.
“Estimates predict that KP.3 is the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, accounting for 31.2% to 43% of viruses nationally. KP.3 is expected to continue to increase as the proportions of variants causing COVID-19 increase,” CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman told USA TODAY in a statement. “KP.3 evolved from JN.1, the predominant viral lineage circulating since December 2023.”
The data also shows that the new LB.1 variant has fallen by 3% and now accounts for 14.5% of cases, having previously accounted for 17.5% of infections. JN.1, the previous leader since 2023, had only 1.0% positive cases, down 0.6% from the previous two-week period.
On July 2, the CDC reported that COVID-19 infections are increasing in 39 states, stable or uncertain in 10 states, and decreasing in zero states.
Here’s what you need to know about the KP.3 variant.
More COVID-19 news:Should You Get the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine? See CDC’s Current Guidelines.
What is the KP.3 variant?
Like JN.1 and “FLiRT” variants KP.1.1 and KP.2, KP.3 is a similar strain. Norman said the KP.3 variant is a “sublineage of the JN.1 lineage,” which comes from the Omicron variant.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The CDC did not say whether KP.3 has its own specific symptoms. Norman said the symptoms associated with KP.3 are similar to those of JN.1. However, the government agency does outline basic COVID-19 symptoms on its website. These symptoms can occur anywhere from two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe.
These are some symptoms of COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body pain
- Headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- A sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
According to the CDC, you should seek medical attention if you have the following symptoms:
- Problems with breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or bluish skin, lips, or nail beds
How can we protect ourselves from KP.3 and other variants?
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older, with some exceptions, get vaccinated against COVID-19 for 2024-2025 to protect against the disease, regardless of whether you have previously been vaccinated against the virus.
CDC data shows COVID-19 test positivity by state
CDC data shows which states had the lowest and highest COVID-19 positivity rates from June 29 to July 5, 2024.
Can’t see the map? Click here to view it.
CDC data shows the number of positive COVID-19 tests increased by 9% over the past week.
Changes in COVID-19 test positivity within a week
Based on data collected by the CDC, it was found that five The states had the largest increase of 4.7% in positive COVID-19 cases from June 29 to July 5, 2024.
Below is a list of states and their changes in COVID-19 positivity over the past week.
| Stands | Change in COVID-19 test positivity in (%) |
| Alabama | +2.6 |
| Alaska | +3.4 |
| Arizona | +2.1 |
| Arkansas | +4.7 |
| California | +2.1 |
| Colorado | +2.6 |
| Connecticut | +0.7 |
| Delaware | +2.3 |
| District of Columbia | +2.3 |
| Florida | +2.6 |
| Georgia | +2.6 |
| Hawaii | +2.1 |
| Idaho | +3.4 |
| Illinois | +2.9 |
| Indiana | +2.9 |
| Iowa | +2.3 |
| Kansas | +2.3 |
| Kentucky | +2.6 |
| Louisiana | +4.7 |
| Maine | +0.7 |
| Maryland | +2.3 |
| Massachusetts | +0.7 |
| Michigan | +2.9 |
| Minnesota | +2.9 |
| Mississippi | +2.6 |
| Missouri | +2.3 |
| Montana | +2.6 |
| Nebraska | +2.3 |
| Nevada | +2.1 |
| New Hampshire | +0.7 |
| New Jersey | +2.2 |
| New Mexico | +4.7 |
| New York | +2.2 |
| North Carolina | +2.6 |
| North Dakota | +2.6 |
| Ohio | +2.9 |
| Oklahoma | +4.7 |
| Oregon | +3.4 |
| Pennsylvania | +2.3 |
| Puerto Rico | +2.2 |
| Rhode Island | +0.7 |
| south carolina | +2.6 |
| south dakota | +1.5 |
| Tennessee | +2.6 |
| Texas | +4.7 |
| Utah | +2.6 |
| Vermont | +0.7 |
| Virginia | +2.3 |
| Washington | +3.4 |
| West Virginia | +2.3 |
| Wisconsin | +2.9 |
| Wyoming | +2.6 |
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on USA TODAY’s National Trending Team. Ahjané covers breaking news, auto recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.
Contributions: Emily DeLetter