#lb1 — Public Fediverse posts

Neutralizing #antibody #evasion of #SARS-CoV-2 #JN1 derivatives #KP3, #KP311, #LB1, and #XEC

Source: BioRxIV, AbstractThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses ongoing challenges to vaccine efficacy. We evaluated neutralizing antibody responses against JN.1 and its derivatives (KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, and XEC) in healthcare workers who received seven doses of BNT162b2, including XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine. In COVID-19-naive individuals, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1 showed…

https://etidioh.wordpress.com/2024/11/06/neutralizing-antibody-evasion-of-sars-cov-2-jn1-derivatives-kp3-kp311-lb1-and-xec/

Neutralizing #antibody #evasion of #SARS-CoV-2 #JN1 derivatives #KP3, #KP311, #LB1, and #XEC

Source: BioRxIV, AbstractThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses ongoing challenges to vaccine efficacy. We evaluated neutralizing antibody responses against JN.1 and its derivatives (KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, and XEC) in healthcare workers who received seven doses of BNT162b2, including XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine. In COVID-19-naive individuals, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1 showed…

https://etidioh.wordpress.com/2024/11/06/neutralizing-antibody-evasion-of-sars-cov-2-jn1-derivatives-kp3-kp311-lb1-and-xec/

Neutralizing #antibody #evasion of #SARS-CoV-2 #JN1 derivatives #KP3, #KP311, #LB1, and #XEC

Source: BioRxIV, AbstractThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses ongoing challenges to vaccine efficacy. We evaluated neutralizing antibody responses against JN.1 and its derivatives (KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, and XEC) in healthcare workers who received seven doses of BNT162b2, including XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine. In COVID-19-naive individuals, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1 showed…

https://etidioh.wordpress.com/2024/11/06/neutralizing-antibody-evasion-of-sars-cov-2-jn1-derivatives-kp3-kp311-lb1-and-xec/

Neutralizing #antibody #evasion of #SARS-CoV-2 #JN1 derivatives #KP3, #KP311, #LB1, and #XEC

Source: BioRxIV, AbstractThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses ongoing challenges to vaccine efficacy. We evaluated neutralizing antibody responses against JN.1 and its derivatives (KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, and XEC) in healthcare workers who received seven doses of BNT162b2, including XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine. In COVID-19-naive individuals, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1 showed…

https://etidioh.wordpress.com/2024/11/06/neutralizing-antibody-evasion-of-sars-cov-2-jn1-derivatives-kp3-kp311-lb1-and-xec/

Neutralizing #antibody #evasion of #SARS-CoV-2 #JN1 derivatives #KP3, #KP311, #LB1, and #XEC

Source: BioRxIV, AbstractThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants poses ongoing challenges to vaccine efficacy. We evaluated neutralizing antibody responses against JN.1 and its derivatives (KP.3, KP.3.1.1, LB.1, and XEC) in healthcare workers who received seven doses of BNT162b2, including XBB.1.5 monovalent vaccine. In COVID-19-naive individuals, KP.3.1.1 and LB.1 showed…

https://etidioh.wordpress.com/2024/11/06/neutralizing-antibody-evasion-of-sars-cov-2-jn1-derivatives-kp3-kp311-lb1-and-xec/

#Russia sees sharp rise in #SARS-CoV-2 #variants that bypass #immunity, https://ria.ru/20240913/rospotrebnadzor-1972432927.html

"In the last two to three weeks, the proportion of circulating variants of the new coronavirus strains #KP3 and #LB1, which are part of the #FLiRT sublineage, has increased by 2.5 times in the Russian Federation," the release says.

#Russia sees sharp rise in #SARS-CoV-2 #variants that bypass #immunity, https://ria.ru/20240913/rospotrebnadzor-1972432927.html

"In the last two to three weeks, the proportion of circulating variants of the new coronavirus strains #KP3 and #LB1, which are part of the #FLiRT sublineage, has increased by 2.5 times in the Russian Federation," the release says.

#Russia sees sharp rise in #SARS-CoV-2 #variants that bypass #immunity, https://ria.ru/20240913/rospotrebnadzor-1972432927.html

"In the last two to three weeks, the proportion of circulating variants of the new coronavirus strains #KP3 and #LB1, which are part of the #FLiRT sublineage, has increased by 2.5 times in the Russian Federation," the release says.

#Russia sees sharp rise in #SARS-CoV-2 #variants that bypass #immunity, https://ria.ru/20240913/rospotrebnadzor-1972432927.html

"In the last two to three weeks, the proportion of circulating variants of the new coronavirus strains #KP3 and #LB1, which are part of the #FLiRT sublineage, has increased by 2.5 times in the Russian Federation," the release says.

#Russia sees sharp rise in #SARS-CoV-2 #variants that bypass #immunity, https://ria.ru/20240913/rospotrebnadzor-1972432927.html

"In the last two to three weeks, the proportion of circulating variants of the new coronavirus strains #KP3 and #LB1, which are part of the #FLiRT sublineage, has increased by 2.5 times in the Russian Federation," the release says.

#Neutralization and #Stability of #JN1-derived #LB1, #KP23, #KP3 and #KP311 #Subvariants http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.09.04.611219v1?rss=1

We report on the neutralizing #antibody (nAb) #escape, infectivity, #fusion, and stability of these subvariants-LB.1, KP.2.3, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1. Our findings demonstrate that all of these subvariants are highly evasive of nAbs elicited by bivalent #mRNA #vaccine, the #XBB15 monovalent mumps virus-based vaccine, or from infections during the BA.2.86/JN.1 wave.

#Neutralization and #Stability of #JN1-derived #LB1, #KP23, #KP3 and #KP311 #Subvariants http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.09.04.611219v1?rss=1

We report on the neutralizing #antibody (nAb) #escape, infectivity, #fusion, and stability of these subvariants-LB.1, KP.2.3, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1. Our findings demonstrate that all of these subvariants are highly evasive of nAbs elicited by bivalent #mRNA #vaccine, the #XBB15 monovalent mumps virus-based vaccine, or from infections during the BA.2.86/JN.1 wave.

#Neutralization and #Stability of #JN1-derived #LB1, #KP23, #KP3 and #KP311 #Subvariants http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.09.04.611219v1?rss=1

We report on the neutralizing #antibody (nAb) #escape, infectivity, #fusion, and stability of these subvariants-LB.1, KP.2.3, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1. Our findings demonstrate that all of these subvariants are highly evasive of nAbs elicited by bivalent #mRNA #vaccine, the #XBB15 monovalent mumps virus-based vaccine, or from infections during the BA.2.86/JN.1 wave.

#Neutralization and #Stability of #JN1-derived #LB1, #KP23, #KP3 and #KP311 #Subvariants http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.09.04.611219v1?rss=1

We report on the neutralizing #antibody (nAb) #escape, infectivity, #fusion, and stability of these subvariants-LB.1, KP.2.3, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1. Our findings demonstrate that all of these subvariants are highly evasive of nAbs elicited by bivalent #mRNA #vaccine, the #XBB15 monovalent mumps virus-based vaccine, or from infections during the BA.2.86/JN.1 wave.

#Neutralization and #Stability of #JN1-derived #LB1, #KP23, #KP3 and #KP311 #Subvariants http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.09.04.611219v1?rss=1

We report on the neutralizing #antibody (nAb) #escape, infectivity, #fusion, and stability of these subvariants-LB.1, KP.2.3, KP.3, and KP.3.1.1. Our findings demonstrate that all of these subvariants are highly evasive of nAbs elicited by bivalent #mRNA #vaccine, the #XBB15 monovalent mumps virus-based vaccine, or from infections during the BA.2.86/JN.1 wave.

#Escape of #SARS-CoV-2 #variants #KP11, #LB1 and #KP33 from approved #mAbs http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.08.20.608835v1?rss=1

#Sipavibart neutralized JN.1.1 but lost antiviral efficacy against KP1.1, LB.1 and KP3.3. Our results highlight the need for a close clinical monitoring of Pemivibart and raise concerns about the clinical efficacy of Sipavibart.

#Escape of #SARS-CoV-2 #variants #KP11, #LB1 and #KP33 from approved #mAbs http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.08.20.608835v1?rss=1

#Sipavibart neutralized JN.1.1 but lost antiviral efficacy against KP1.1, LB.1 and KP3.3. Our results highlight the need for a close clinical monitoring of Pemivibart and raise concerns about the clinical efficacy of Sipavibart.

#Escape of #SARS-CoV-2 #variants #KP11, #LB1 and #KP33 from approved #mAbs http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.08.20.608835v1?rss=1

#Sipavibart neutralized JN.1.1 but lost antiviral efficacy against KP1.1, LB.1 and KP3.3. Our results highlight the need for a close clinical monitoring of Pemivibart and raise concerns about the clinical efficacy of Sipavibart.

#Escape of #SARS-CoV-2 #variants #KP11, #LB1 and #KP33 from approved #mAbs http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.08.20.608835v1?rss=1

#Sipavibart neutralized JN.1.1 but lost antiviral efficacy against KP1.1, LB.1 and KP3.3. Our results highlight the need for a close clinical monitoring of Pemivibart and raise concerns about the clinical efficacy of Sipavibart.

#Escape of #SARS-CoV-2 #variants #KP11, #LB1 and #KP33 from approved #mAbs http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.08.20.608835v1?rss=1

#Sipavibart neutralized JN.1.1 but lost antiviral efficacy against KP1.1, LB.1 and KP3.3. Our results highlight the need for a close clinical monitoring of Pemivibart and raise concerns about the clinical efficacy of Sipavibart.

#Pemivibart is less active against recent #SARS-CoV-2 #JN1 #sublineages http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2024.08.12.607496v1?rss=1

Pemivibart neutralized both JN.1 and #KP2 in vitro with comparable activity, whereas its potency was decreased slightly against #LB1, #KP23, and #KP3 but substantially against #KP311. Critically, the 50% inhibitory concentration of pemivibart against KP.3.1.1 was ~6 g/mL, or ~32.7 fold higher than that of JN.1.

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

I apologize for my late post today and not posting at all last week. The situation did not change all that much last week so there was not that much new info to go on anyway.

Also, most virologists are slowly getting more absorbed into the more potentially devastating H5N1 pandemic currently playing out in the animal kingdom, which is totally understandable but...still takes away from SARS2/C19 discussion. 😣

🔴Just a quick reminder that if you need to keep windows and doors shut during this 🔥HEATWAVE🔥, you might want to start using or build a Corsi-Rosenthal Box as keeping houses and businesses tightly shut against the elements is diametrically opposed to virus control.

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VOCs

There are no recent drastic changes in the COVID19 landscape so far.

Nationally, KP.2.3 in the lead, and quite a few mutations based on KP.3 right after.: https://ibb.co/jgsnv72

The newest mutation to watch seems to be KP.4.1 which is in very low numbers, currently under 1%, for now.

There are no specifics on the Tableau site so for for PA as far as mutations are concerned.

In NY/NJ, LB.1.7 in the lead, and again KP.3.1.1 is shown to move fast over there at 10% of leaderboard share.: https://ibb.co/vCFVRmN

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+rate

Nationally, according to Walgreens, the +rate is going almost stright up. No doubt the East being shut inside for extreme hot/humid weather is NOT helping this, as is waning vaccination effectiveness due to mutational drift.: https://ibb.co/8M4ZFMb

🔴PLEASE get vaccinated when JN.1/KP.2 versions come out in the next few months.

Out of about 5,000 PCR tests done, over a third (39.6%) are positive.

This is a STRONG swing upward that started in April.

The swing upward is mirrored in PA, but only 52 tests have been done. If you aren't feeling well, PLASE use a home test and stay home if you are sick!: https://ibb.co/WnymxfP

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Wastewater

WastewaterSCAN has numbers considered HIGH nationally even though the CDC site is considering them LOW. (🙄): https://ibb.co/C7z96yy

Wastewater levels are LOW compared to the first Omicron wave but HIGH considering that we should not be experiencing this increased sickness in July at all.

In our HHS region, Region 3, we have quite a few stations reporting quickly rising numbers. Harrisburg and Chester rising steadily and now surpasses the highest stations in Maryland, which has been consistently high.: https://ibb.co/R7JXkND

Our region average has been going vertical in wastewater concentration in late June.: https://ibb.co/fSTXbPB

In Region 2 (NY/NJ), the Oakhurst Station has been going vertical and other stations steadily and slowly rising.: https://ibb.co/FzJL7BV

Again, extra caution by using quality air filteration (either by CR box or by a KN95, N95 or better respirator) will keep these numbers down for the summer.

Keep cool and have a GREAT WEEK! 🔥🔥🔥

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA
#Pennsylvania #PA
#KP3 #LB1 #DeFLiRT #S31Del #KP41

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands
#VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

"A covid summer uptick is underway as FLiRT and LB.1 variants ascend..

"Covid infections are growing in nearly all states—with the sharpest increases in the West.

"The death toll of the ongoing summer uptick is not clear because fatality data takes several weeks to become accurate. In May, weekly deaths involving the coronavirus hovered in the low 300s, according to the CDC."
https://wapo.st/45N8pxn
#GiftArticle #covid #summer #flirt #lb1

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

I hope you're enjoying the beautiful weather today!! ☀️☀️☀️

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VOCs

Nationally, nothing really new as far as VOCs go, we still have KP.2.3 in the lead, with a very tight race for the top 5 slots on the leaderboard in random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/gjbxpV0

According to Sato Lab in Japan, KP.2.3 is blazingly fast (along with LB.1) and bears a mutation (S:S31del) that makes it immune resistant and more infectious.: https://x.com/SystemsVirology/status/1806464518270369889

Numbers rising already worldwide and in the US from these S-deletion mutations.

In PA, the LB.x.y set seems to be more successful than the KP.2.3 set. This doesn't mean we don't have both out there, but LB.1.7 is showing up more often in recent random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/s3VTsy4

KP.3.1 is also very fast, and the extremely tight race shows that this is a result of mutations that are ALL very fast and infectious.

In NY/NJ, LB.1.7 is at the top of the chart just like in PA. KP.2.3 is right behind it and other fast mutations are gaining, like LP.1.: https://ibb.co/HGDhcjm

Walgreens still has a huge portion of the lower 48 states in the highest positivity growth bracket.: https://ibb.co/1b64Kns

In PA, we're stable right now but numbers are comparable to a mid-winter illness level, and these are only the reported cases.: https://ibb.co/k8VV8Cv

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Wastewater

The PAWSS has a lot of increases across the board. Moderate increases in Allegheny, Indiana, Centre, Cumberland, MontCo and around Philly, and Delaware Cos. Some HIGH increases in Monroe Co.: https://ibb.co/JkWTcfh

🔴Vaccines with newer mutation formulas should be available in mid-July for Novavax and earliest Fall for mRNA (Moderna/Pfizer etc.). Moderna has announced they're interested in a JN.1 formula along with Novavax and is looking to start getting in arms in August. Pfizer is still leaning toward KP.2.

The FDA needs to be pushed to get these to kids BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTS.

Please get you and your kid(s) vaccinated. Don't be That Guy.

Get whatever is available, as they'll definitely be more effective than year-old XBB shots.

If you have a strong reaction to the mRNA shots though you might want to switch to Novavax (I did!!) but it's usually harder to find.

That's all I have this week as not much has changed even though numbers are still going up. Consider wearing a quality respirator in crowds and in places with poor ventilation.

I hope you have a BEAUTIFUL day and a healthy early summer! ☀️☀️☀️

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA
#Pennsylvania #PA
#KP3 #LB1 #DeFLiRT #S31Del

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands
#VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

''The #Re of #KP3 was more than 1·2-fold higher than that of #JN1 and higher than or similar to that of #KP2 in these countries. Notably, the Re values of #LB1 and #KP23 were higher than those of KP.2 and KP.3. These results suggest that the three #variants we investigated will spread worldwide, in addition to KP.2.2''

#Virological characteristics of the #SARS-CoV-2 #KP3, #LB1, and #KP23 #variants, Lancet Infect Dis.: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(24)00415-8/fulltext?rss=yes

JN.1 subvariants such as LB.1 (JN.1.9.2.1) and KP.2.3 (JN.1.11.1.2·3), which convergently acquired a deletion at the 31st position in S (Ser31del) in addition to the aforementioned substitutions, have emerged and spread as of June, 2024 (appendix pp 12–13).

🇺🇸US: COVID summer wave grows, especially in West, with new variant LB.1 on the rise.

"KP.3 has reached roughly a third of cases nationwide, up from 25% two weeks ago, and LB.1 makes up 17.5% of cases"

"Early lab data from scientists in Japan, which were released this month as a preprint that has yet to be peer-reviewed, found one of LB.1's mutations — a change called S:S31del, which KP.3 and JN.1 does not have — could enable it to spread faster."

@auscovid19 #COVID19US #KP3 #LB1 #COVIDsummerwave

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-summer-wave-grows-new-variant-lb-1/

Study: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.05.597664v1

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

I hope you are staying safe under this unusually hot weather. Please drink lots of water, pace yourself in the hottest hours of the day, and avoid caffeine! 🔥☀️🔥

If you must keep windows and doors closed during peak heat hours, run that Corsi-Rosenthal box to keep air clean.

Extremely hot weather precautions (closing doors and windows) are diametrically opposed to SARS2 control, much like midwinter heat retention and smoke prevention, but source control is still possible!

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VOCs

Nationally, KP.3.x.y and LB.x.y are the latest fastest variants. KP.2.3 is at the top, just barely, at almost 6% of national random sequencing, and KP.2 is already on the way out from the upcoming takover of KP.3 and LB.x variants.: https://ibb.co/fSZ7WRn

KP.3.1 is already in 3rd place and KP.3.3 already in fourth. KP.3.x and LB.x already, together, makes the largest proportion of random sequencing.

We are collectively too slow to react usefully to this virus as of now. National numbers are starting to go up from the sheer immune escape of these latest variants.

IN PA, lots of troublesome variants here already. KP.2.3 and KP.3.1 already tied for FIRST place here at 13% of random sequencing each. LB.1 and LB.1.7 right behind.: https://ibb.co/ccCmVbX

:coronavirus: :coronavirus: :coronavirus: Please consider masking up with a quality respirator in crowded places so these immune-escaping variants are kept at bay....ESPECIALLY during intense heat which makes keeping doors and windows open harder, and BEFORE JN.1/KP.3 vaccinations are available. :coronavirus: :coronavirus: :coronavirus:

In NY/NJ, LB.1.7 already at the top of the chart with a solid 10% of share. These new mutations are FAST due to immune escape. Practice source control to have a healthy Summer!: https://ibb.co/QNj7YJy

The latest CDC NOWCAST reflects all this...it shows KP.3 at a solid 33% of new infections. :coronavirus::coronavirus:Together with LB.1, these two are estimated to at least HALF of current infections.:coronavirus::coronavirus:: https://ibb.co/6RCStZs

We can see the impact of immune escape variants in other metrics, too.

Walgreens already has a majority of Eastern and Southern states at the highest change in positivity ratio from the previous week, and has for a while now.: https://ibb.co/XjDY2DP

In PA, Walgreens has a third of new tests showing positives. Testing is horribly low but the proportion is going up every week, and more tests will probably be done as people feel they need them done.: https://ibb.co/rvvB06B

CDC Early indicators show definite increases in test positivity and esecially ED visits, up 12.6% since last week!: https://ibb.co/0MzPY8q

CDC has ED visits growing nationally. This is due to immune escape of new variants. PA is showing moderate increases in ED visits due to SARS2 diagnoses. The overall level is still minimal, but new variants will keep bumping these numbers up of people ignore source control.: https://ibb.co/3mnzXgj

You can see the obvious advantage KP.3 has over older variants in this chart (the leftmost variant): https://ibb.co/BgjGkTr

Chart by virologist Benji Murrell.: https://ibb.co/vHj7RKQ

Sadly, we remain one of the States reporting the highest proportional deaths in a three-month period. 225 people have passed in the past 3 months from COVID.: https://ibb.co/G0phq72

__________
Wastewater

WastewaterSCAN has national levels in SARS2 as HIGH in all regions.: https://ibb.co/jJSHb4V

In PA, lots of stations showing moderate increases in SARS2 material and increases are especially high in central Westmoreland Co. Pitt and Philly remain stable. No doubt this is due to newer immune-escaping variants.: https://ibb.co/qxfwg59

In our region, individual stations are showing medium and low levels individually but with a definite trend of many stations toward "high" levels.: https://ibb.co/tQFq4sZ

As immune-evasive mutations continue to permeate the State it's going to get increasingly important to perform some sort of source control. Mask up, stay home when sick, and run those Corsi-Rosenthal boxes if you need that A/C on!! 🔥☀️🔥

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA
#Pennsylvania #PA
#FLuQE #Q493E #NOWCAST
#KP3 #LB1
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Muggy Morning SARS2PAians! ☁️💐☁️

I hope you are having a safe Spring!

#VOCs

The top news lately are the newest variants causing country-wide summer waves including Spain: https://ibb.co/hRpvjt5

and Portugal: https://ibb.co/khTtyJX

They are KP.3.x.y and LB.x.y.

These new immune evasive variants are filling up hospitals and causing notable increases in deaths.

KP.3 is now the variant "grandfather" that is the fastest, the most immune evasive, and the most easily bound to cells. Specifically, the most watched upcoming variant is its grandchild, KP.3.1.1.

The newest variants that have a very good chance of causing a sizeable increase in numbers, if not a full blown-out wave, are variants of KP.3 that already have immune evasive mutations (FLuQE) but also have an advantageous specific spike deletion (S:S31del).

These new and fastest variants are immune evasive to BOTH current vaccinations, AND prior infections.

Nationally, KP.2 is still just barely at the top of the leaderboard. KP.2.3 is right behind it, already a variant that is being watched.: https://ibb.co/p0d8G8n

🔴KP.3.1.1 is absolutely blazing fast and burning through Spain, Portugal and other countries, and is part of KP-DEL31.

_____

NOTE: "KP-DEL31" is gonna be my nickname for it, not variant hunters or virologists. Just to call it something easily condensed and recognizeable for now. They might decide on a different nickname soon. These names are just for convenience. (You don't call your cousin Mister James Robert Smith every time, do you? You call him JimBob or Smitty. It just makes talking easier.)

_____

I've highlighted FLiRT in pink on the national screenshot but I'll drop it soon as KP-DEL31 becomes more and more relevant.

There's no specific results for PA on the Tableau site. Probably not enough testing here.

In NY/NJ, I've highlighted KP-DEL31 in green on the NY/NJ leaderboard, and as you can see, all the top 5 variants there have this very important spike deletion. But KP.3.1.1 is the variant to keep eyes on.: https://ibb.co/Jcv0rF7

KP.3.1.1 is already found (in only a few days!) in TX, NY, CA, CO, NJ, WA, and VA.

🔴If you've dropped wearing respirators for now you might want to reconsider putting them back on as KP.3.1.1 makes gains and spring moves along.

________________

#Wastewater

Wastewater has returned to HIGH levels in the Eastern and Southern states. KP.2, KP.3 and LB.x.y variants are working together on driving this.: https://ibb.co/0nHqQPS

In our region, specifically testing in Maryland is showing a return to higher levels.: https://ibb.co/99MSpy0

The PA wastewater dashboard is showing LARGE increases in Philly, and sizeable increases in Centre and Indiana counties.: https://ibb.co/0J14Tty

MASK UP, oh my Philly ❤️️!

________________

#Vaccines

Whoa I had a whole angry thing typed out here and juuuuuuust checked back on Twitter, and Dr. Eric Topol wrote just 2 hrs ago that the US FDA has changed its decision for the upcoming vaccine base!!: https://ibb.co/xzB6GVb

The newest mRNA vaccines will be based on KP.2 and NOT JN.1!

This is a wise decision and fantastic news!!

This will certainly better prepare us for Summer.

(NOTE: **Novavax** will have a JN.1 based booster. Novavax is completely different as it has proven effective through multiple years with ONE base so that vaccine will probably not have to be changed as often.)

_______________
🔴Even with vaccines, there are always other things we can do to practice source control!

keep those windows OPEN

wear a respirator

keep the air clean

move meetings outside

work from home

build a Corsi-Rosenthal box

stay home if you are sick!

Continue to have a great and safe Spring!! 💐💐💐

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA #Pennsylvania #PA
#FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
#FLuQE #Q493E
#KP2 #KP3 #LB1 #Moderna #Pfizer #Novavax
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

#Virological characteristics of the #SarsCoV2 #KP3, #LB1 and #KP23 #variants, BioRxIV, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.05.597664v1?rss=1

Our results suggest that S #substitutions convergently acquired in #JN1 #subvariants contribute to immune evasion, & increase their Re when compared to parental JN.1. LB.1 & KP.2.3 exhibited higher pseudovirus #infectivity & more immune resistance than KP.2. Data suggest that S:S31del is critical to exhibit +infectivity, +immune evasion, & potentially contributes to increased Re.

Update for 6/7/2024!

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Spring 💐💐💐

__________
VOCs

Nationally, KP.2 barely holding on to the top slot on the leaderboard at 8.22%. Fast, immune-evasive LB.1 is directly behind and most likely will take over in a week or less.: https://ibb.co/Q6ZZhsN

Immune-evasive KP.3 is also on the way up.

In PA, KP.3 and LB.1 has not been found in hte (horribly low) random testing we're doing. LB.1 did show up earlier, and "not finding" doesn't mean it's not around, but to not find such a fast variant in qualtities to put it on the PA board is promising.: https://ibb.co/ZN8Nrfp

In NY/NJ, LB.1 has easily displaced KP.2 for the top slot, with LB.1 at almost 17% of share and KP.2 behind at 9%.: https://ibb.co/mRR03KB

Lots of new mutations added in the past few weeks to the latest CDC NOWCAST.: https://ibb.co/b7y1mXb

Even on here, KP.3 is shown to be predicted as the TOP circulating variant, with KP.2 sandwiched between it and also-new-and-evasive LB.1.

Due to antigenic drift/effective ACE2 binding/communal laxness in prevention, this is probably going to bump numbers up for the summer.

Eevn though numbers a still low nationally, Walgreens COVID19 dashboard has already had large increases of positivity in a large number of States.: https://ibb.co/WHcFZK3

Pennsylvania has been considered at a large increase for quite a while already on there.: https://ibb.co/mc0CbPq

JN.1.50, KP.3.2 and KP.2.3 (yes those numbers are weirdly reversed) are also very fast, very immune-landscape-elusive mutes to watch, too.

I hope that I'm wrong but it seems that we'll be drowning in a soup of fast varaints for the fall/winter. My opinion only: This winter might be...something else...if the wrong vaccine formula is used.

__________
Wastewater

Though numbers in PA are still relatively low, WastewaterSCAN has SARS2 levels at MEDIUM. Maryland/DC is starting to tick upward fast.: https://ibb.co/55JvPbt

PA WSS has McKean County showing heavy SARS2 material increases in wastewater, and moderstew increases in Philly.: https://ibb.co/8Pdz6MR

__________
Vaccine News

The most reliable viral geneticists and epidemiologists I'm watching has already said a JN.1 vaccine will be outdated.: https://ibb.co/vBgbr2g

🔴THIS IS NOT DUE TO VACCINES BEING INHERENTLY INEFFECTIVE. Do not spread that disnformation.

This is due to the superfast antigenic drift of SARS2, and also us being too slow to communally react to this virus. If a JN.1 vaccine is produced it will hardly effect any useful protection at all.: https://ibb.co/1dFTRKm

The fast rate which this virus gains mutations is absolutely not slowing down, and will most likely never slow down.

It is VITAL that corporate science (as in, the corporate producers of vaccines) keep up with mutations and if need be, drop outdated mutation bases FAST to change formula to one that will actually work effectively.

It is NECESSARY to even being the conversation now with KP.2.

We cannot afford to be slow in considering vaccination formulas or distribution.

Keeping the air clean is decidedly easier in better weather, but if numbers are going up in your area, PLEASE use some sort of source control. Wear a quality respirator, stay home if you are sick, test repeatedly with symptoms!

Enjoy your Spring and keep that air clean! 💐💐💐

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA #Pennsylvania #PA #FLiRT #F456L #R346T
#spike_f456l #spike_r346t
#Q493E

#KP2 #KP3 #LB1

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

update for 5/31/2024!!

Good Morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you are enjoying your Spring! 💐💐💐

I just have an update on VOCs as I have to run out the door, and also not much has changed in terms of numbers yet. I'm so sorry this is all I have time for right now.

Nationally, for VOCs, we have a lot of fast movers that might bump up numbers for the summer as they have elsewhere globally already. Looks like the fastest are going to be KP.3 and especially LB.1.: https://ibb.co/wzcJ05J

While we don't have any immensely increased numbers so far, nationally they are starting to slowly rise, and source control will be needed as these immune evasive and FAST variants catch on.

In PA, we have quite a few of the FLiRT variants (in pink) and upcoming immune evasive variants (in teal) coming up. Numbers for these new variants are low but might rise steadily as the spring goes on.: https://ibb.co/h1XS2hP

IN NY/NJ, LB.1 is already at the top of the chart 👀 and the speed of its rise is incredible considering how fast current variants are already!: https://ibb.co/dpRDrPd

Watching these new mutations will give a big clue on when to tighten up source control.

In the meantime, keep that air clean and just for future safety, keep a stock of N95s handy for H5N1 as it spreads through more and more domesticated animal species, the lastest which is alpacas. This is starting to make epidemiologists and viral geneticists kinda nervous.

Insist on full disclosure of animal health/testing/sequencing from farms. You might consider non-dairy milk, or maybe ultra-pasteurized milk. Another option is UHT, shelf-stable milk in sterile packaging (like Parmalat).

:coronavirus: DO NOT CONSUME RAW MILK OR UNDERCOOKED MEAT.:coronavirus:

Hope to have more time to do this on Moday (but not sure) so have a great weekend and be safe! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1 #JNOne50

#IFYouAreDrinkingRawMilk__STOP__DOING__IT

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/24/2024!

Good morning SARS2PAians! (well, afternoon by the time I got all this ready)

I hope you are having a BEAUTIFUL and healthy day. 💐💐💐

_____
VOCs

Nationally, KP.2 is in the lead so far, easily displacng JN.1 variants.: https://ibb.co/JCWtxdr

KP.3 and LB.1 (DeFLiRT) are making FAST gains in the leaderboard, now up to around 5% each nationally.

They are still the top two successful variants that show great potential to take over from even KP.2.: https://ibb.co/kxHkfV1

🔴JN.1.50 is new, and was just designated on 5/18 and though genetically it's as fast as LB.1 and KP.3, it remains to be seen in meatspace how it will spread.

In PA, JN.1 still in the lead here in random sequencing at 20% and KP.2 behind it at 13%.: https://ibb.co/G7Nnft5

Unfortunately KP.3 has been found here. So we now have BOTH very fast DeFLiRT variants here for the summer, KP.3 and LB.1. Take care, keep windows open, clean the air, wear a quality respirator and be aware of social contacts. These two variants might push the numbers up this summer.

In NY/NJ, KP.2 in the lead and look at that LB.1....in second place at 10% of random testing already. Yikes. It's been making very fast gains for a while now there.: https://ibb.co/8xRfkkh

Some parts of Jersey have noticeable upticks of matarial concentraion on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/7STgtLZ

__________
Wastewater

Trying to get as much info as possible here since almsot everything useful is being discontinued. 🙄

SARS2 has been bumped up to MEDIUM nationally on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/Wf5MdxN

There are noticeable upticks starting to happen in the Harrisburg and Chester areas.: https://ibb.co/g3HQZp0

__________
Non-SARS2 Pathogens

Gastro pathogens Noro and Rotavirus are still in the HIGH category on WastewaterSCAN. Please wash hands carefully, wash fruits and veg, and be aware of kitchen cleanliness discipline to avoid cathing these bugs. Mostly because they're just gross 🤢

🔴Concerning H5N1 (HPAI, "bird flu"), we are NOT in flu season, so seeing upticks for Influenza A is extremely concerning.

This is what the FluA graphs SHOULD look like now in a normal post-FLuA season.: https://ibb.co/X4Q8szS

H5N1 is an influenza A. It's been upgraded to MEDIUM on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/wKC300x

However, the online tool makes no differentiation between H5N1 and other types of FLuA. It also cannot tell live virus from inactivated virus or its fragments.

It's extremely telling, though, that the highest concentration of FluA is located exatly where herd breakouts have or are occuring, mostly in the middle of the country in the plains corridor.

To reduce the risk of contracting, transmlitting, or allowing H5N1/HPAI to mutate,

🔴🔴🔴DO NOT DRINK RAW MILK.🔴🔴🔴

I don't give a flying fart if it's legal to sell/buy here in PA. Do NOT be that guy. Do NOT encourage this pathogen to mutate and DO NOT endanger your own life or everyone else's by consuming raw or unpasteurized dairy products.

Use caution in handling raw dairy products, especially meat and milk. Pasteurization has been proven to kill FluA and fluA is very sensitive to heat, but please use caution, fully cook raw meat, and use good sanitary habits when working with raw farm products.

As always, some method of source control is always good to help keep these pathogens in check whether they're just annoying and gross OR have a high kill rate.

I hope you stay safe, enjoy the open windows in Spring, and ARE NOT DRINKING RAW MILK.

Have a great week!!

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1 #JNOne50

#IFYouAreDrinkingRawMilk__STOP__DOING__IT

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope your very cloudy annd humid Spring is going well. 💐💐💐

The only thing I have right now are VOC visuals.

Nationally, KP.2 in the lead at 12% of random sequencing. The FLiRT variants are not far behind and VERy fast variants KP.3 and LB.1 are still making fast gains even after only a few days.: https://ibb.co/309Ygcj

In PA, classic JN.1 is still at the lead here. We don't have KP.3 here but we do have fast mover LB.1 which is now over 5% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/CpyDWkH

IN NY/NJ, immune evasive variants LB.1 already at over 7% of testing and KP.3 almost at 5%.: https://ibb.co/LZ1hZM7

__________
Wastewater

Biobot has released a statement saying they are stopping keeping up their COVID-19 wastwater visuals. There's still WastewaterSCAN but only three sheds are on there.: https://ibb.co/2tYPPcm

https://biobot.io/from-raw-data-to-actionable-insights-biobots-evolution-of-public-data-sharing/

This is another removal of a GREAT tool that helped everyone stay informed, and gave a heads-up when to buckle down on source control issues.

A very good potential replacement for Biobot is Iowa Covid-19 Tracker and I'll start to try to get familiar with that as soon as I can sit down to do it so the vizzes might look very different soon.: https://iowacovid19tracker.org/

I hope to have more info on Friday, and until then have a GREAT week and safe Spring! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1

#Biobot #IowaCOVIDTracker

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/17/2024!

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you are staying healthy during this very cloudy and rainy period! 🌦🌧☁️☔️

VOCs

Nationally, the FLiRT group (in pink on the graph), which is the first group that can cause a rise in summer numbers in a few wweeks, is still pushing closer and closer to the top of the chart. FLiRT variant KP.2 is already at almost 10% nationally in random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/Wxtgg1N

The second group (KP.3, LB.1, JN.1.32) that can push up summer numbers is not far behind and is FAST.

To complicate issues even more:

It's been advised where I'm cruising around for this info that the second group is not only VERY immune-evasive to current variant antibodies, but also returning to a more lung-based symptom set rather a gut-based set. JN.1 is mainly centered in the gut, which makes wastewater monitoring more sensitive and more accurate.

A return to a more lung-based centered illness is a bad thing and will make wastewater testing not-as-sensitive as it was for JN.1 relatives.

In PA, KP.2 is already in the lead of random sequencing results at 16% of share.: https://ibb.co/6XpWGfF

We already have LB.1 here so it's oging to very important to track this fast moving and immune evasive variant.

In NY/NJ, KP.3 and LB.1 in fifth and sixth places on the leaderboard. Their rise is increasing quickly as they're up to over 4% of varaint share, up from 3% a week ago.: https://ibb.co/9gsdZ0W

A 1% increase in such a short amount of time in a field of already very fast variants is noteworthy. In a race of thoroughbreds, varaints like this are the potential triple-crown winners.

__________
Wastewater

Wastewater levels are still very good (low.) Nationally we're at the same level as last year but not low enough to match 2021 yet.: https://ibb.co/Y3Tv51h

In PA, not much to say. EVERYONE is smashing it. Bucks county area a bit higher than naitonal levels and trending upwards. PLEase use precaution and some sort of source control so these numbers don't go back up.: https://ibb.co/hd2FcNh

__________

That's all I have this morning, so I hope you have a GREAT week! I apologize for not updating consistently as data is harder to obtain and H5N1 takes over the foreground of virology conversations (as it should, understandable)!!

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/13/2024!

Good Morning SARS2PAians!

I hope your chilly Spring is going well! 💐💐💐

Just a very quick VOC update as there is absolutely nothing really updated to work with this week 🙄

While numbers are still very very low right now (which is great), the virology world and variant hunters are watching a few new mutations lately.

The two most important coming up are KP.3 and LB.1.

Globally, KP.3 is already in 2nd place, very high in places like the UK and Australia, easily growing past previous JN.1 incarnations AND FLiRT variants.: https://ibb.co/ch19ph8

It carries a very rare mutation (S:Q493E) that enhances its fitness and will enable it to grow much fater than previous JN.1 incarnations.: https://ibb.co/9vx0JTn

It is IMMUNE EVASIVE compared to all current acquired immunity, both by vaccination and infection. It's fast enough and evasive enough to probably bump up numbers in June or July.

In the US, KP.3 is in relatively low numbers right now: https://ibb.co/XpRF6D6

BUT KP.3 is growing very quickly as the previous variant snapshot show when put together:

4/01-- 0.34%

4/05-- 0.44%

4/12-- 0.63%

4/19-- 1.17%

4/25-- 1.55%

5/03-- 1.64%

5/06-- 2.23%

5/12-- 3.20%

(This is fast in a landscape that's already thoroughly saturated very very vast variants.)

In PA, variant sequencers have not seen KP.3 pop up yet (doesn't mean it's not here, sequencing and testing are soooooo loooow but at least it's not showing up on the leaderboard.): https://ibb.co/4YzwNFN

However, LB.1 (from the FLiRT group but with an important deletion {S:531del}) is another very fast variant that is probably enough to bump up numbers too.

The summer will probably be FLiRT + FLiRT children vs. KP.3 (nicknamed FLuQE) + FLuQE children.

Those two mutation classes together wil probably start pushing up numbers again in early June.

Unfortunately that's all I have for now as it's getting harder and harder to find updated info.

I hope your Spring continues to be healthy! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !