New COVID-19 variant, ‘Cicada,’ mostly infecting children, health officials say

New COVID-19 variant, ‘Cicada,’ mostly infecting children, health officials say
Western Mass News
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(CNN) – A mutated version of COVID-19 appears to be mostly infecting children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the variant known as “Cicada” has been detected in at least 23 countries.

The new variant is part of the Omicron family.

So far, scientists aren’t particularly worried about the variant because it doesn’t seem to be more severe than others.

One thing that is different, though, is that it’s primarily being seen in children.

COVID-19’s pattern, until now, has been to infect adults, particularly older adults.

While the Cicada strain does not account for a significant number of cases in the U.S., it has been found in wastewater in more than two dozen states, and reports of its presence are increasing.

Experts say it is too early to know if it will spread more widely or how well vaccines will hold up, but they are watching for a possible summer surge.

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