Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that a pair of variants from the Omicron lineage, known as KP.3 and KP.2, are now the dominant strains of COVID-19 in the United States. The KP.3 variant has claimed the top spot due to its exceptionally high transmission rate, outpacing other variants including its close counterpart, KP.2.

According to the CDC, in a recent two-week period ending on Saturday, June 8, the KP.3 variant accounted for 25 percent of COVID-19 cases nationwide, slightly surpassing the prevalence of the KP.2 variant, which stood at 22.5 percent. Both of these strains are part of a newly identified cluster of variants called "FLiRT," which are all derived from the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Dr. C. Leilani Valdes, a pathologist and medical director at Regional Pathology Associates in Texas, warns that the KP.3 variant is particularly adept at spreading from person to person. She describes it as "very good at jumping from one person to another," highlighting the urgency of taking preventive measures to curb its transmission.

Prior to the emergence of the FLiRT variants, the JN.1 strain, another subvariant of Omicron, had been the predominant strain circulating in the US. However, the rise of these new FLiRT variants has shifted the landscape, with KP.3 taking the lead as the most prevalent strain nationally.

The CDC and health officials across the country are closely monitoring the situation and working to gather further information about the FLiRT variants. This includes studying their characteristics, transmission patterns, and any potential impact on vaccine effectiveness.

As the US grapples with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the dominance of these FLiRT variants serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination, adherence to public health guidelines, and continued vigilance in the face of evolving virus mutations.