FLiRT COVID variants: What to know

The latest omicron subvariants carry specific mutations that may allow the SARS-CoV-2 virus to be better at evading immune protection Over the last year, a whole different family of COVID-19 variants has emerged, sparking conversation on whether or not we’re flirting with dangerous territory again in the realm of COVID-19 evolution. Collectively referred to as the FLiRT COVID variants, these subvariants are the latest in the long line of omicron variants we’ve seen over the past few years. But what makes these subvariants particularly unique is that they all carry the same set of brand-new mutations that allow the SARS-CoV-2 virus to infect its host and evade our immune system’s defenses. Ahead of yet another COVID-19 peak season, pathologist Hannah Wang, MD, explains what we know so far about the FLiRT COVID variants and why they’re taking off. What is the FLiRT variant? All of the FLiRT COVID variants belong to the family of JN.1...