Four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus is far from gone. The U.S. is currently experiencing a major COVID-19 surge.
A high or very high level of COVID-19 virus is being detected in wastewater in almost every state, including Missouri, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At Jackson County Public Health, we’re committed to keeping our community safe. As part of this effort, we offer free COVID-19 test kits that you can pick up at any time during business hours. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or simply want peace of mind, these test kits are available to you.
Read below to find answers about the latest variant of COVID-19.
What You Need to Know
The Surge and What’s Driving It
Right now, nearly every metric the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses to track COVID-19 is on the rise—hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and positive test percentages. This surge is being fueled by a group of variants known as the FLiRT variants, which include KP.3.1.1, KP.3, and LB.1.
Monitoring COVID-19 Activity Through Wastewater
One of the tools the CDC uses to gauge COVID-19 activity is wastewater testing. By analyzing sewage, the CDC can detect traces of infectious diseases within communities.
As of August 19th, Missouri is one of 35 states experiencing “very high” levels of COVID-19 activity based on wastewater viral levels.
The Most Common Variant: KP.3.1.1
Currently, the most common COVID-19 variant in the United States is KP.3.1.1, according to the CDC. This variant accounts for nearly 28% of COVID-19 cases nationwide, followed by KP.3 and LB.1.
Recognizing the Symptoms of the Latest Variant
COVID-19 symptoms have become more consistent with these newer variants. The CDC reports that the most common symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- New loss of taste or smell
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
If you fall into a high-risk category, you may experience more severe symptoms, so it’s crucial to monitor your health closely.
If you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, take precautions to avoid spreading it to those around you. The CDC recommends staying home and away from others until — for at least 24 hours — your symptoms have improved and you have not had a fever (without fever-reducing medication)
Even after you begin to feel better, you may still be contagious. Continue to take extra precautions for the next five days, such as physical distancing and masking, to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
The Upcoming Vaccine
A new vaccine tailored to the dominant COVID-19 variants is expected to be released in September.
Experts advise those in low-risk groups or who have recently had COVID-19 to wait for this updated vaccine. However, if you’re at higher risk, haven’t yet received the previous vaccine, or have upcoming activities that may increase your exposure, it might be beneficial to get the current vaccine now.
Once available, anyone in the metro is welcome to come and get vaccinated against COVID-19 for free at our clinic at 3651 NE Ralph Powell RD in Lee’s Summit; we just ask you to make an appointment.
The vaccines will be free through the end of 2024. No copay is needed. If you have insurance, we will run it.
Once the updated COVID-19 vaccine is available at our clinic, we will announce it on our website and social media. If you would like to be notified by email once the vaccine is in stock, join our email list using the form below.
Jackson County Public Health is here to help you navigate these challenging times. Remember: free COVID-19 test kits are available at our department, so you can stay vigilant and protect yourself and your loved ones. If you’re currently experiencing symptoms, take precautions to avoid getting others sick. For more information, please visit our website or contact us directly.
Together, we can continue to keep our community safe and healthy.
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Information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
