CDC tracks new FLiRT COVID-19 variant. Is it in Ohio?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are tracking a new group of coronavirus variants that make up a quarter of infections in the U.S.

The new group of variants has been nicknamed FLiRT and includes variants KP.2 and KP.1.1, Time Magazine reported.

KP.2 was responsible for 25% of infections from April 14 to April 27, the most recent data available from the CDC. KP.1.1 was responsible for 7.5%.

The variants are part of a lineage the CDC has classified as a "variant of concern," meaning they are more transmissible, can result in more severe disease or are less responsive to vaccines or treatments.

Have there been any cases in Ohio?

The FLiRT variant was detected in Ohio in March, but JN.1 remains by far the most dominant variant in the state, Ken Gordon, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Health, said in a statement.

Gordon noted FLiRT, JN.1 and BA.2.86 are all subvariants of the Omicron variant and the recent subvariants have not shown that they cause any higher levels of severe illness.

The department recommends Ohioans stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations as the best defense against variants. The most recent booster became available in September 2023. The CDC recommends a second dose of the booster for people 65 and older and immunocompromised people if at least four months have passed since getting a shot, Gordon said.

Gordon said it's also important to follow the latest CDC recommendations if you feel sick, meaning you should stay home and away from others until at least 24 hours after fever or other symptoms have gone away.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.