Rising COVID-19 Cases in Chicago and the US: The Role of FLiRT and LB.1 Variants

Chicago, Illinois United States of America
CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available this fall
COVID-19 cases are on the rise in both Chicago and the US
Emergency room visits due to COVID-19 have increased by 23% in the past week, but hospitalization rates remain steady
FLiRT variants account for a significant proportion of these cases in Chicago and nationally
LB.1 variant is currently the third-leading COVID-19 variant in the US, making up 15% of cases
Symptoms of LB.1 are similar to those caused by FLiRT variants and include sore throat, cough, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches
Rising COVID-19 Cases in Chicago and the US: The Role of FLiRT and LB.1 Variants

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in both Chicago and the United States, with at least 44 states experiencing an increase or likely increase in COVID-19 infections as of late June. The highly contagious KP.3 and KP.2 strains, also known as FLiRT variants, account for a significant proportion of these cases.

In Chicago specifically, six out of the city's seven sewershed areas have seen rising levels of COVID-19 over the past three weeks. The sharpest rise has been observed in Lincoln Park and the Near North Side. More than half of local cases come from FLiRT variants.

Nationally, emergency room visits due to COVID-19 have increased by 23% in the past week, but hospitalization rates remain steady. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available this fall, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated before.

The LB.1 variant is currently the third-leading COVID-19 variant in the US, making up 15% of cases. Symptoms of LB.1 are similar to those caused by the FLiRT variants and include sore throat, cough, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches.

William Schaffner expects an increase in COVID-19 cases during summer months as it doesn't disappear like influenza does. The CDC also recommends that those who are older than 65 and immunocompromised should get the latest vaccine or another vaccine if four months have elapsed since their last one.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are there any other significant contributing factors to the rise in COVID-19 cases besides the FLiRT and LB.1 variants?
  • What is the exact percentage of cases caused by each variant in Chicago?

Sources

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Summer wave of COVID-19 hitting U.S.

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ CBS News Tuesday, 09 July 2024 11:48
  • Unique Points
    • A new wave of COVID-19 cases is hitting the United States during the summer.
  • Accuracy
    • COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Chicago.
    • LB.1 is the third-leading COVID-19 variant in the US, making up 15% of cases.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

COVID cases rising in Chicago

Axios News Site: https://www.axios.com/2024/01-30/prior-authorization-gap-insurer-drug-decisions Monica Eng,Tina Monday, 08 July 2024 11:20
  • Unique Points
    • COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Chicago.
    • At least 44 states, including Illinois, have seen an increase or likely increase in COVID-19 infections as of June 25, according to the CDC.
    • Six out of Chicago’s seven sewershed areas have seen rising levels of COVID-19 over the past three weeks, with the sharpest rise in Lincoln Park and the Near North Side.
    • More than half of local COVID-19 cases come from FLiRT variants.
  • Accuracy
    • At least 44 states, including Illinois, have seen an increase or likely increase in COVID-19 infections as of June 25.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

96%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

A new COVID variant is on the rise in the US. What are its most common symptoms?

Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Caroline Kee Tuesday, 09 July 2024 11:50
  • Unique Points
    • LB.1 is the third-leading COVID-19 variant in the US, making up 15% of cases.
    • Symptoms of LB.1 are similar to those caused by the FLiRT variants, including sore throat, cough, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, fever or chills, headache, muscle aches.
    • Emergency room visits due to COVID-19 have increased by 23% in the past week but hospitalization rates remain steady.
  • Accuracy
    • As of July 6, KP.3 accounts for an estimated 37% and KP.2 for about 24% of COVID-19 cases in the US.
    • LB.1 is a subvariant of JN.1 and has unique mutations that affect its ability to evade immunity.
    • COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are relatively low compared to the winter but have been on the rise in most states.
    • Test positivity was at 9% as of June 29 but is highest in California and the Southwest US.
    • Viral activity in wastewater is 'low' nationally compared to 'high' or 'very high' for most of the winter.
    • LB.1 is highly contagious and spreading readily.
    • Symptoms of LB.1 are similar to those caused by the FLiRT variants, including sore throat, cough, fatigue, congestion, runny nose, fever or chills, headache, muscle aches
    • Antivirals such as Paxlovid are effective against LB.1 and other recent strains.
    • The current vaccine offers protection against severe disease, and an updated 2024--2025 vaccine is expected to offer protection as well.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

COVID Variants KP.3 and KP.2 Are Driving a Summer Surge

Everyday Health Don Rauf Tuesday, 09 July 2024 11:51
  • Unique Points
    • COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 39 states and territories as of July 2, 2024.
    • Positive COVID-19 tests crept up by 0.8 percent for the week ending July 6.
    • Hospitalizations increased by just over 13 percent during the same week.
    • William Schaffner expects an increase in COVID-19 cases during summer months, as it doesn’t disappear like influenza does.
    • LB.1 variant is causing an estimated 1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases and is closely related to the FLiRT strains but has an extra mutation.
    • CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older receive an updated 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine when they become available this fall.
    • Those who are older than 65 and immunocompromised should get the latest vaccine or another vaccine if four months have elapsed since the last one.
  • Accuracy
    • ]COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 39 states and territories as of July 2, 2024.[
    • No states are seeing a decline or likely decline, while in 10 states, infections are stable or uncertain.
    • COVID-related emergency room visits jumped by more than 23 percent for the same time period.
  • Deception (80%)
    The article provides information from reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and experts in the field. However, there are instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation that lower the score. The author focuses on the increase in COVID-19 cases due to new variants without mentioning that vaccines have been effective at preventing serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. This creates a sense of fear and concern without providing a complete picture. Additionally, the article mentions anecdotal evidence from social media about nasty effects from the virus but does not provide any context or verification for these claims.
    • A commentator for CNBC recently wrote on X: Tests positive for COVID a few days ago. First three days of symptoms were worse than those of 2 years ago. Deep, lingering sore throat among them. Thank goodness for Paxlovid. Seems to be working.
    • COVID figures are trending up due to a constellation of factors, including more people congregating close together, more people traveling, and more people going indoors to escape extreme heat.
    • The newest highly transmissible variant leading a significant amount of infection is LB.1, which is causing an estimated 1 in 10 new cases.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication