The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that two new variants of the virus, Omicron variants KP.3 and KP.3.1.1, are responsible for over half of all reported COVID-19 cases in the United States. According to CDC data, COVID-19 levels are currently classified as “very high” in more than half of the states, with 32 states and Washington, D.C. observing very high levels and 11 states experiencing high levels.
Wastewater data as of Aug. 15 showed the widespread prevalence of the virus, with the West Coast and Mountain states particularly impacted. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 were slightly down while hospitalizations were slightly up compared to previous weeks. However, COVID-related deaths have been at record low levels for the past three months.
The Omicron-derived KP.3.1.1 strain accounts for 36.8 percent of positive infections, while the KP.3 variant is at 16.8 percent, according to the CDC’s Nowcast tracker. Despite the rise in cases, there is no indication that these variants cause more severe illness or different symptoms compared to other variants.
In other news, the CDC reported that COVID-19 is no longer a top cause of death in the United States, with significantly fewer deaths attributed to the virus compared to previous years. The leading causes of death in the country remain heart disease, cancer, and injuries. Additionally, major vaccine makers are preparing to target COVID-19 variants derived from JN.1 with new vaccines expected to be available in the fall of 2024.
Recent trials of a combination COVID-19 and influenza vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech did not meet one of the primary goals, but researchers remain optimistic about the program. The article concludes with a note that the information was contributed by The Associated Press. Can you please rephrase that?
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