of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) We are tracking the rise of the COVID-19 LB.1 variant as it begins to lag behind KP.3.
For two weeks from June 9th to June 22nd, CDC’s Nowcast Data Tracker It showed a forecast of COVID-19 variants: the KP.3 variant accounts for 33.1% of positive infections, followed by KP.2 with 20.8%. The new variant LB.1 accounts for 17.5% of infections, while JN.1, the previous leader since 2023, accounts for just 1.6% of positive cases.
Since information was released about the rise in the LB.1 variant, the CDC has been monitoring the transmissibility of the variant.
“We can say that variant LB.1 may be more readily infectious to some people based on a deletion in one of the spike proteins,” CDC spokesman Dave Daigle said in a statement to USA Today.
Daigle said the spike in the LB.1 variant is similar to that seen in the JN.1 lineage. CDC spokesperson Rosa Norman previously told USA Today that the KP.3 variant, a sublineage of JN.1, has had two spike changes, while JN.1 has only had one spike change.
“One of the two surge changes was observed in recent early lineages, including the XBB.1.5 lineage that was dominant throughout 2023 and was the basis of the 2023-2024 vaccine formulation,” Norman said. “The second of the two changes was observed in some viruses circulating in the fall of 2021 but has not been observed since.”
Here’s what you need to know about the new LB.1 variant.
The data shows that:COVID KP.3 variant remains dominant in the U.S., accounting for 33.1% of cases
What is the LB.1 variant?
The LB.1 variant is the latest COVID-19 variant circulating in the United States.
Is this variant as harmful as previous COVID-19 variants?
Based on information currently available to the CDC, there is no indication that the LB.1 variant poses a serious risk.
“There is currently no evidence that LB.1 causes more severe disease,” Daigle said.
Symptoms of COVID-19
The CDC has not said whether there are any specific symptoms for LB.1, but the agency has outlined basic symptoms. Report COVID-19 symptoms on the websiteThese symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe.
Some of the symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever or chills
- cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Malaise
- Muscle and body pain
- headache
- Loss of taste or smell
- sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea
The CDC says people should see a doctor if they have any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue coloration of the skin, lips, or nail beds
CDC data shows COVID-19 test positivity rates by state
CDC data shows the states with the lowest and highest COVID-19 positivity rates from June 15 to June 24, 2024.
Can’t see the map? Click here To view:
Daigle will discuss infection rates across the U.S. and the lineage of the LB.1 variant.
“Most key COVID-19 indicators indicate low levels of activity across the country, so the total number of cases this strain is causing is likely low,” he said. “COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths remain low.”
Change in COVID-19 test positivity rate within one week
According to data collected by the CDC, five states saw a 2.3% increase in positive COVID-19 cases from June 17 to June 24, 2024, with the largest increase occurring in the U.S. and Canada.
Below is a list of changes in COVID-19 positivity rates by state over the past week.
| state | Change in COVID-19 test positivity rate (%) |
| Alabama | +0.3 |
| Alaska | +1.0 |
| Arizona | +0.8 |
| Arkansas | +2.3 |
| California | +0.8 |
| Colorado | +2.1 |
| Connecticut | +1.4 |
| Delaware | +0.2 |
| District of Columbia | +0.2 |
| Florida | +0.3 |
| Georgia | +0.3 |
| Hawaii | +0.8 |
| Idaho | +1.0 |
| Illinois | +1.0 |
| Indiana | +1.0 |
| Iowa | +0.9 |
| Kansas | +0.9 |
| Kentucky | +0.3 |
| Louisiana | +2.3 |
| Maine | +1.4 |
| Maryland | +0.2 |
| Massachusetts | +1.4 |
| Michigan | +1.0 |
| Minnesota | +1.0 |
| Mississippi | +0.3 |
| Missouri | +0.9 |
| Montana | +2.1 |
| Nebraska | +0.9 |
| Nevada | +0.8 |
| New Hampshire | +1.4 |
| New Jersey | +0.2 |
| New Mexico | +2.3 |
| new york | +0.2 |
| North Carolina | +0.3 |
| North Dakota | +2.1 |
| Ohio | +1.0 |
| Oklahoma | +2.3 |
| Oregon | +1.0 |
| Pennsylvania | +0.2 |
| Puerto Rico | +0.2 |
| Rhode Island | +1.4 |
| South Carolina | +0.3 |
| South Dakota | +2.1 |
| Tennessee | +0.3 |
| Texas | +2.3 |
| Utah | +2.1 |
| Vermont | +1.4 |
| Virginia | +0.2 |
| Washington | +1.0 |
| West Virginia | +0.2 |
| Wisconsin | +1.0 |
| Wyoming | +2.1 |
Daigle said the agency will continue to monitor all variants of COVID-19 as case numbers continue to rise and the possibility of a summer surge in infections emerges.
“CDC will continue to track SARS-CoV-2 variants and work to better understand their potential impact on public health,” he said.
Ajane Forbes is a reporter for USA Today’s National Trends team. Ajane covers breaking news, auto recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy. Email her at email addressFollow her Instagram, thread and X (Twitter) From @forbesfineest.
