New Covid Variant – From the very first day of the spread of COVID-19, most health experts in the world were warning the government of every country to stay alert as COVID-19 will keep coming back with different variants at different times.
That warning is becoming true now as we see the attack of different variants at different times. A few days ago, most health experts in the country announced that the United States is going through the 6th COVID wave with the latest sub-variant of COVID-19.
We can see the impact of the 6th COVID wave in the United States in the active and daily positive cases of COVID-19. In the last two weeks, the United States has recorded more than 100,000 fresh cases of COVID-19 each day.
As compared to active and daily positive cases of COVID-19 back in March 2022, The cases have shot up more than 100 to 150%. Back in March 2022, we were recording around 25,000 cases of over 19 each day, and now it has shown up to 150,000.
There is no doubt that we see the impact of the new COVID variant in the United States. To ensure your safety, you need to learn about the latest symptoms of the new COVID variant and guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.
Symptoms of New COVID variant
As the new COVID variant BA 2.12.1 spreads at rapid speed in the United States, the fear of infection is rising once again. In the last few weeks, BA 2.12.1 became the dominant sub-variant of COVID-19. It has surpassed the previous B 1.1 version.
Because of that, a lot of people are looking for the symptoms of new COVID variants. Even though the virus is spreading at a rapid speed in the United States, it does not impose any new symptoms of COVID-19.
Cough and Sore Throat
Cough is among the most common symptoms in the patients affected with the new COVID variant named BA 2.12.1. It is also the first symptom that every covered patient affected with the new COVID variant is going to experience.
At the same time, you might also experience a sore throat. Even though both of the symptoms of the new COVID variant are not the symptoms of concern, you can consult with your doctor if it is not getting better in three or four days.
There is a probability that you might also experience a congested nose or running nose along with cough and sore throat during the infection of COVID with the new variant.
Fever and Chills
Just like with previous variants, fever and chills are also very common symptoms of new COVID variants. Most people infected with BA 2.12.1 are going to experience fever and chills at the same time. Most health experts suggest everyone infected with COVID not take any over-the-counter medicine for fever and chills.
You should consult with your doctor before you take any over-the-counter medicine for any symptoms. At the same time, you should also isolate yourself and take any home COVID test.
Body Pain
Pain throughout your body is also a very common symptom of the new COVID variant. There is a probability that you might experience muscle and body aches throughout your whole body. Some people have also experienced headaches due to congested or running noses and constant sniffing. Generally, the body pain or headache goes away within two to three days after it starts.
Nausea and Diarrhea
The next most common side effects of new COVID variants are nausea and diarrhea. Even though the intensity of nausea and diarrhea is going to be on the lower side, sometimes it can go out of hand, and you should consult with your doctor.
Mild nausea and diarrhea get better in two to three days since you get the infection. At the same time, severe cases of nausea and diarrhea are not going to get better even after four or five days. Rather than taking over-the-counter medicine, you should consult with your doctor as you might require different medicine or treatment options.
Difficulty In Breathing
Lastly, you might experience difficulty in breathing with a new COVID variant. There is a probability that mucus buildup in your nose might start hampering your lungs which can cause shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Under any circumstances, you should never ignore difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath. It is not a common symptom of the new COVID variant. If you are experiencing difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, then you should consult with your doctor as soon as possible.
Guidelines for New COVID Variant
The Centers for Disease Control and prevention keep updating guidelines for COVID regularly. With the rise of new COVID variants in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and prevention launched their new tool named COVID by county.
You can use the above-given button, which will directly take you to the official website of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention and redirect you to the new COVID by county tool.
You can check the status of your county. If Will County is in the medium or high-risk category, then you should wear masks in indoor public places. Apart from that, you should also stay up to date with the COVID vaccine and get tested if you develop any symptoms related to COVID-19.
Vaccine and Booster Dose
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been pushing everyone to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States has approved the first booster shot for every person in the United States above the age of five.
Now everyone above the age of 5 in the United States can get the first booster shot of Pfizer. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and prevention have started pushing the second booster shot to every eligible American above the age of 50 or who is immune-compromised above the age of 12.
The major change in the COVID guidelines at the rise of new COVID variants happened in the vaccine when the Food and Drug Administration announced that everyone above the age of 5 in the United States is eligible to receive the first booster shot.
Testing for New COVID variant
One of the best news about the new COVID variant is that the testing process has not changed a bit. In the United States, you can get yourself tested at any pharmaceutical giant active in the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been providing free COVID testing throughout the nation with the help of federal funding. Pharmaceutical giants including Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS Health have been actively working along with the CDC to provide free cover testing.
To get yourself tested at any pharmaceutical giant in the United States for the new COVID variant, then you have to create a pre-appointment using the official website of the pharmacy.
For example, if you want to get yourself tested for a new COVID variant at Walgreens pharmacy, then you have to click on the above-given button, which will directly take you to the appointment page.
Free Home COVID Test
A few days ago, the federal government of the United States announced that they are going to provide home COVID test kits to every eligible household in the United States.
The registration for free at home COVID tests has started at the official website of COVID tests launched by the federal government. The tests are going to be delivered by the United States Postal Service, and every household is eligible to receive one kit, which will include two packs of four tests in each pack. In total, you will get 8 COVID tests apart from other free options.
Precautions for New COVID Variant
Now before we wrap this session, let’s take a look at the precautions for the new COVID variant in the United States.
A few weeks ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that everyone should wear masks while traveling in the United States on public transport.
Even though the mandatory announcement by the CDC was thrown out by a Florida judge on the petition of two women suffering from anxiety, you can still follow the mask rule in the United States to ensure your safety.
From the very first day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been requesting and advising every person in the United States to get themselves vaccinated.
No matter how effective the vaccine for COVID is, it can still become the first shield against the virus and save your life.
Before you travel internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest everyone consult with their doctor. Apart from that, you should also check the status of the country on the official website of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. Some countries are at high risk, as per the CDC, and you should avoid traveling to those countries.
Is there any treatment available for the new COVID variant?
The treatment options for new COVID variants or old COVID variants are still very limited. Even though Pfizer has recently launched their COVID pill, the effectiveness and the timing of the Pfizer pill are still under evaluation. Your doctor might be eligible to use some treatment options depending on your symptoms.