The KP.3.1.1 COVID-19 variant is the dominant pressure of the virus, the most recent projections from the Facilities for Illness Regulate and Prevention (CDC) display.The company’s Nowcast knowledge tracker, which shows COVID-19 estimates and projections for two-week classes, initiatives the KP.3.1.1 variant is accounting for 36.8% of certain infections, adopted by way of KP.3 at 16.8% within the two-week stretch beginning Aug. 4.”The KP.3.1.1 variant is similar to different circulating variants in america. All present lineages are descendants of JN.1, which emerged in overdue 2023,” Rosa Norman, a spokesperson on the CDC, prior to now informed USA TODAY.”Right now, we look forward to that COVID-19 remedies and vaccines will proceed to paintings in opposition to all circulating variants,’ she mentioned. “CDC will proceed to watch the severity of variants and can track vaccine effectiveness.”In the past, the KP.3.1.1 variant made up 22.8% of circumstances for the two-week duration finishing on Aug. 3 and KP.3 accounted for 21.0%. In step with the information, KP.3.1.1 rose 14% and KP.3 diminished 4.2% from Aug. 3 in projected certain infections.Here’s what you wish to have to understand concerning the KP.3.1.1 variant.See newest knowledge:CDC says COVID is at ‘very prime’ process ranges in some US statesHow are KP.3 and KP.3.1.1 variants equivalent? In step with the CDC’s Nowcast knowledge, the KP.3.1.1 COVID-19 variant was once probably the most prevalent pressure on the nationwide, regional, and state ranges for the week finishing Aug. 17.”KP.3.1.1 is a sub-lineage of KP.3,” Norman mentioned.How are KP.3 and KP.3.1.1 other?Norman prior to now defined that KP.3.1.1 has one trade in spike protein.JN.1, a variant that has been circulating since December 2023, most effective noticed a unmarried trade in spike, in contrast to the KP.3 variant, which is a sub-lineage of the JN.1, Dave Daigle, a spokesperson on the CDC, prior to now informed USA TODAY.”KP.3.1.1 has one trade within the spike protein compared to KP.3,” Norman mentioned.CDC reviews:Recalled cucumbers in salmonella outbreak sickened 449 other people in 31 statesCOVID-19 Present Wastewater Viral Process Ranges MapCDC knowledge displays that over part of america have reported “very prime” ranges of COVID-19 process.The usage of wastewater or sewage, the CDC exams the water to peer if there are any lines of an infectious illness inside a neighborhood, the federal government company says.Knowledge up to date on Aug. 15 by way of the CDC confirmed that 32 states and one territory have reported “very prime” ranges of wastewater viral process national.Here’s a map of the states and territories that experience reported wastewater viral process ranges as of Aug. 15:Cannot see the map? Click on right here to view it.Adjustments in COVID-19 take a look at positivity inside a weekData accrued by way of the CDC displays that 4 Western states and 6 territories that makes up Area 9 had the largest lower of (-5.8%) in certain COVID-19 circumstances from Aug. 4 to Aug. 10, 2024. The knowledge was once posted on Aug. 16, 2024.Notice: The CDC organizes positivity price in line with areas, as outlined by way of the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Services and products.Here is the record of states and their areas’ adjustments in COVID-19 positivity for the previous week:Area 1 (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont): +0.5percentRegion 2 (New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands): +3.7percentRegion 3 (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia): +0.8percentRegion 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee): +1.5percentRegion 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin): +1.0percentRegion 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas): -0.3percentRegion 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska): +0.8percentRegion 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming): -0.3percentRegion 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau): -5.8percentRegion 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington): -1.2percentThe CDC knowledge displays COVID-19 take a look at positivity price was once recorded at 18.1% for the week of Aug. 4 to Aug. 10, an absolute trade of 0.2% from the prior week.COVID-19 symptomsThe CDC has now not mentioned if KP.3 or KP.3.1.1 have their very own particular signs. On the other hand, Norman prior to now defined that the indicators related to KP.3 are very similar to the ones from JN.1. The federal government company outlines the elemental signs of COVID-19 on its web site. Those signs can seem between two and 14 days after publicity to the virus and will vary from delicate to serious.Those are one of the crucial signs of COVID-19:Fever or chillsCoughShortness of breath or problem breathingFatigueMuscle or frame achesHeadacheLoss of style or smellSore throatCongestion or runny noseNausea or vomitingDiarrheaThe CDC mentioned you must search clinical consideration in case you have the next signs:Bother breathingPersistent ache or drive within the chestNew confusionInability to wake or keep awakePale, grey, or blue-colored pores and skin, lips, or nail bedsHow are we able to give protection to ourselves from KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and different variants?The CDC recommends that everybody 6 months previous and older get the up to date 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine. Norman additionally recommends that the aged and people who are immunocompromised must get vaccinated so as to give protection to themselves from COVID-19.Ahjané Forbes is a reporter at the Nationwide Trending Workforce at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking information, automotive recollects, crime, well being, lottery and public coverage tales. E mail her at aforbes@gannett.com. Apply her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.