CDC advises manufacturers to target KP.2 strain for updated vaccines
Covid-19 levels rising in US
Infections on the rise in at least 38 states, hospitalizations and deaths also ticking up
KP.3 and offshoots of JN.1 variants more resistant to immunity gained from previous natural infection or vaccination
New KP.2 and KP.3 variants account for over half of new infections
Vaccines remain effective at preventing severe outcomes from Covid-19, but additional booster shots may be needed in the future
In recent weeks, Covid-19 levels have been on the rise in the United States, particularly in the West. This surge is being driven by new variants of the virus, including KP.2 and KP.3 strains which now account for over half of all new Covid-19 infections in the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised manufacturers to target the KP.2 strain for updated Covid-19 vaccines, which are anticipated to become available between mid-August and late September. New vaccines that switch to target KP.2 are expected to provide better protection against the current variants circulating in the US.
The CDC has scaled back its surveillance of Covid-19 since the public health emergency ended over a year ago, but data available suggests that infections are on the rise in at least 38 states. Wastewater surveillance indicates that viral activity remains relatively low, but hospitalizations and deaths related to Covid-19 are also ticking up. The test positivity rate has risen slightly to 8.1%, with the highest rates found in Hawaii and western regions of the country.
The increase in Covid-19 levels is being attributed to the spread of new variants, including KP.3 and offshoots of JN.1, which are thought to be more resistant to immunity gained from previous natural infection or vaccination. The CDC has warned that these new variants could lead to a further spike in cases and urged people to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus, such as staying home when sick, seeking treatment if positive for the virus, and wearing masks indoors.
Despite the rise in Covid-19 levels, health officials stress that vaccines remain highly effective at preventing severe outcomes from Covid-19. The CDC continues to recommend vaccination for all individuals who are eligible. However, with new variants emerging, it is possible that additional booster shots may be needed in the future to maintain protection against the virus.
Two of these new variants, KP.2 and KP.3, now account for more than half of new Covid-19 infections in the US
Manufacturers are advised to target the KP.2 strain for updated Covid-19 vaccines
New vaccines that will make the switch to target KP.2 are anticipated to become available between mid-August and late September
Accuracy
Covid-19 levels are especially high in the West and South of the US
Two of these new variants, KP.3 and KP.2, now account for more than half of new Covid-19 infections in the US
California is one of 15 states with high or very high coronavirus levels in sewage
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains some instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies are present. The author quotes experts to support her claims about the current state of Covid-19 in the US and its seasonal patterns. While there is some inflammatory language used, such as 'summer wave' and 'large portion of the population has had some exposure,' it does not significantly impact the overall argument or distort facts.
]The virus tends to replicate well and to stay alive in an environment with warm and moist conditions. That fits with what we're seeing.[/
Dr. Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
The number of COVID-19 associated deaths was about 300 per week in May, the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic.
About 42% of people 75 and older got the latest shots.
Accuracy
, The number of COVID-19 associated deaths was about 300 per week in May, the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic., Nearly 26,000 people died from COVID-19 in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 9, 2021 which was the highest weekly toll in the pandemic.
, Covid-19 levels have been rising in the US for weeks.
, The number of COVID-19 associated deaths was about 300 per week in May, the lowest since the beginning of the pandemic., New variants are driving an annual summer surge of Covid-19.
The new COVID-19 subvariants collectively nicknamed FLiRT are increasing in dominance nationwide, driving a rise in cases in Los Angeles County and growth in coronavirus levels seen in California wastewater.
,
Accuracy
The new COVID-19 subvariants collectively nicknamed FLiRT are increasing in dominance nationwide, driving a rise in cases in Los Angeles County and growth in coronavirus levels seen in California, wastewater.
, The new variants are driving an annual summer surge of Covid-19.
, Two of these new variants, KP.3 and KP.2, now account for more than half of new Covid-19 infections in the US.
, Data from the CDC shows infections are growing in at least 38 states.
, Wastewater surveillance suggests viral activity is still relatively low, but hospitalizations and deaths are ticking up.
, California is one of 15 states with high or very high coronavirus levels in sewage, with its wastewater levels sharply increasing since early May.
, The percentage of COVID tests at California’s medical facilities that are coming back with positive results is climbing; for the week that ended June 17, 7.5% of statewide COVID tests came back positive.
, Manufacturers are advised to target the KP.2 strain for updated Covid-19 vaccines.
, New vaccines that will make the switch to target KP.2 are anticipated to become available between mid-August and late September.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on the increase of COVID cases in California and L.A. County caused by the FLiRT subvariants without mentioning that these subvariants are also increasing in other states, making it seem like California is experiencing a unique situation. Additionally, the author uses phrases such as 'coronavirus resurgence' and 'it remains unclear how bad the COVID situation may get this summer', which create fear and anxiety in readers.
The data point to a coronavirus resurgence in the Golden State
It remains unclear how bad the COVID situation may get this summer.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes several appeals to authority throughout the article. He mentions the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) multiple times when discussing the increase in COVID-19 subvariants and wastewater data. He also quotes Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, regarding vaccine recommendations.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the FLiRT subvariants make up a combined 62.9% of specimens nationwide for the two-week period ending Saturday.
California is now one of 15 states with high or very high coronavirus levels in sewage, according to the CDC.
The California Department of Public Health in June updated its guidance for older adults, urging them to stay up to date on vaccines and consider extra precautions such as wearing masks in crowded indoor areas.
The FDA urged manufacturers, if feasible, to design this autumn’s vaccine formula against KP.2 instead of its parent, JN.1.
Dr. Peter Marks said a vaccine designed against KP.2 perhaps brings a little benefit over one against JN.1.
