Are new COVID ‘FLiRT’ variants spreading in NC? What to know about symptoms, treatment

There’s a new COVID variant with a strange name and it’s quickly spreading throughout the U.S.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the KP.1.1 and KP.2 variants — commonly referred to as “FLiRT” variants — make up a sizable portion of the total number of COVID cases.

North Carolina had 148 new COVID hospital admissions during the week of April 27, down from 179 admissions the previous week, according to the most recent data available from COVIDActNow.org, a website that compiles real-time COVID data.

While there’s no data available on how fast the variants are spreading in North Carolina, the state health department says many people are already protected against against the virus.

“We are in a different place with COVID-19 than we were during the pandemic,” the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services told The Charlotte Observer in an email. “A high percentage of the population has some protective immunity against COVID-19 and we have the tools…to manage COVID-19.”

Here’s how the FLiRT variants got their name, what the symptoms are and whether vaccines will protect against them.

Where does the ‘FLiRT’ nickname come from?

The nickname for the KP.2 and KP.1.1 variants comes from the technical names for their mutations, according to the Infectious Disease Society of America: F for L at position 456, and R for T at position 346.

“Other FLiRT variants, including KP.1.1, have also been identified as circulating in the U.S., but have not yet become as widespread as KP.2,” the society says.

The KP.2 variant is considered a “descendant” of JN.1, according to the IDSA, meaning the variant was persistent long enough to mutate again.

Data from the CDC show the virus is spreading quickly in the U.S., making up just 4% of cases in the last week of March compared to nearly 25% by the end of April.

What are the symptoms of the ‘FLiRT’ COVID variant?

According to the CDC, the symptoms of FLiRT are similar to the other variants. Those symptoms include:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss or taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

“People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness,” the CDC says. “Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.”

Will COVID vaccines protect against FLiRT?

Since the FLiRT variants are new, there isn’t enough data to show whether vaccines will provide protection against them, The Hill reported.

However, the CDC still recommends all people aged 6 months and older receive a fall COVID-19 vaccine.

“Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe viral respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity,” NCDHHS told the Observer.

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