Why is the new COVID variant in the USA called FLiRT and what are its symptoms?

A new family of COVID variants has struck the United States and are now the dominant strains, with one of them responsible for around a quarter of all cases in the country.

FLiRT, as the family is known, is said to be highly transmissible, and some reports state that current vaccines and immunity from prior infection are believed to provide only partial protection.

However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that the fact we are seeing these mutations, named KP.2 (25% of all cases) and KP.1.1 (7.5%), are to be expected.

Why is the new COVID called FLiRT?

While the name may provoke a smirk or a quizzical eyebrow, there is, as with all science, solid reasoning behind it. They’ve been called “FLiRT” variants due to the technical names for their mutations, one of which includes the letters “F” and “L,” and another of which includes the letters “R” and “T.” OK, maybe there’s not so much science behind it in this case. But at least you won’t forget the name.

What are the symptoms of FLiRT?

Patients have reported a wide range of symptoms from mild to severe, and they typically appear anywhere between 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.

Dr. Albert Ko, Professor of Public Health, Epidemiology and Medicine at Yale School of Public Health, told TODAY that these new variants come with two additional mutations that set them apart from the old dominant strain, JN.1, giving them the advantage to spread over other variants.

“Viruses constantly change through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in a new variant of the virus. Some changes and mutations allow the virus to spread more easily or make it resistant to treatments or vaccines. As the virus spreads, it may change and become harder to stop,” the CDC said on their website.