A new COVID variant is spreading in the U.S. How worried should you be? | Symptoms of the ‘Cicada…

Explore the latest developments concerning A new COVID.

A new COVID variant is spreading in the U.S. How worried should you be?

New ‘Cicada’ COVID variant is spreading in the U.S.—here’s what to know

Infections of the BA.3.2 variant of the COVID-causing coronavirus are still at very low levels, but experts are concerned it may be resistant to immunity from vaccines or prior infection

A new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, dubbed "Cicada" is circulating.

A new variant of the virus that causes COVID is spreading in the U.S. The “Cicada” variant, officially known as BA.3.2, was first detected in South Africa in November 2024. But infection rates in the U.S. have been slowly rising since last fall, according to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

Symptoms of the 'Cicada' COVID variant, detected in at least 25 states

A "highly mutated" COVID variant that has been detected in at least 25 states is gaining ground, according to health authorities.

Nicknamed "Cicada," BA.3.2 is currently on the list of variants being tracked by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), as its spread picked up internationally late last year. Though it was first detected in 2024, it only recently started accounting for a notable number of infections, ballooning to represent up to 30% of COVID-19 infections in some Eastern European countries as of February.

Experts have said the mutated nature of BA.3.2 makes it more effective at evading current vaccination formulations and immune systems that have built a resistance to other COVID-19 infections. This has the potential to cause another "summer surge" in the coming months, as previously reported by USA TODAY.

Mutant, Immunity-Resistant Virus First Detected In CA Is Spreading

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A mutated variant of the COVID-19 virus that can hide from vaccinated and previously infected individuals that was first detected in the United States in a Bay Area traveler has since spread across the country, according to a federal study.

Known as the COVID-19 BA.3.2 variant, it stands out from previous variants because it's makeup is"substantially" different with about 70-75 mutations, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, it's not proving to be more virulent than previous variants. It causes the familiar cold-like symptoms.

Currently it's being detected in wastewater samples up and down the Golden State. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a report this month on the COVID-19 BA.3.2 variant and how it can hide from immune cells.

For more detailed information, explore updates concerning A new COVID.

For more news…