COVID variant LB.1 is rising across the US: Here's what you need to know about it

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the growth of the COVID-19 LB.1 variant as it begins to trail KP.3.

For a two-week period starting on June 9 and ending on June 22, the CDC’s Nowcast data tracker showed the projections of the COVID-19 variants. The KP.3 variant accounted for 33.1% of positive infections followed by KP.2 at 20.8%. The new variant LB.1 was at 17.5% of infections and JN.1, the previous ring leader since 2023, only had 1.6% of positive cases.

Since the information was made public that the LB.1 variant is on the rise, the CDC is monitoring the variant's rate of infection.

“We can tell you that the variant LB.1 has the potential to infect some people more easily based on a single deletion in a spike protein,” CDC Spokesperson, Dave Daigle, said in a statement to USA TODAY.

Daigle said that this spike of the LB.1 variant is like the ones seen in JN.1 lineages. Rosa Norman, a CDC spokesperson, previously told USA TODAY that JN.1 only saw a single change in spike unlike the KP.3 variant, a sub lineage of the JN.1, which had two changes in spike.

“One of the two changes in spike was observed in recent earlier lineages, including XBB.1.5 lineages, which were dominant throughout 2023 and the basis for the 2023–2024 vaccine formulation,” Norman said. “The second of the two changes were observed in some viruses circulating in fall 2021, but not since then.”

Here’s what you need to know about the new LB.1 variant.

Data shows: COVID KP.3 variant remains dominant in the US making up 33.1% of cases

What is the LB.1 variant?

The LB.1 variant is the newest COVID-19 variant that is circulating in the United States.

Will this variant be as detrimental as previous COVID-19 variants?

With the information that the CDC has available right now there’s 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 if LB.1 has its own specific symptoms. However, the government agency outlines the basic symptoms of COVID-19 on its website. These symptoms can appear between two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and can range from mild to severe.

These are some of the symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• Loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

The CDC said you should seek medical attention if you have the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Pale, gray or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds

CDC data shows the COVID-19 test positivity by state

CDC data shows which states has the lowest and highest COVID-19 positivity rates from June 15 to June 24, 2024.

Can't see the map? Click here to view it.

Daigle explains the rate of infection across the United States and the LB.1 variant lineage.

“Most key COVID-19 indicators are showing low levels of activity nationally, therefore the total number of infections this lineage may be causing is likely low,” he said. “COVID-19-associated hospitalizations and deaths remain low.”

Changes in COVID-19 test positivity within a week

Based on data collected by the CDC it showed that five states had the biggest increase of 2.3% in positive COVID-19 cases from June 17 to June 24, 2024.

Here's the list of states and their changes in COVID-19 positivity for the past week.

Daigle said the government agency will continue to monitor all of the COVID-19 variants as the number of infections continue to rise and the potential for a summer surge emerges.

“CDC will continue to track SARS-CoV-2 variants and is working to better understand the potential impact on public health,” he said.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LB.1 COVID variant: Symptoms, spread, latest data