COVID variant Cicada detected in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A COVID variant called Cicada has been detected in Louisiana, prompting health officials to monitor its spread.

The variant gets its name from the insect because doctors say it has been lurking underground, surfacing slowly and retreating without triggering a major wave.

“I think it’s just possibly the next surge or wave, but it’s not going to cause any more increased hospitalization or deaths from this variant,” said Dr. Rubin Patel, CEO of Patient Plus Urgent Care.

COVID numbers declining

Patel said COVID numbers have tailed off dramatically over the last two months. The Cicada variant makes up about 10% of all COVID cases in the country.

Researchers are watching Cicada closely. The variant carries 70 to 75 mutations in its spike protein, the part of the virus that helps it enter human cells. That level of mutation raises questions about how well existing vaccines will hold up against it.

“The vaccine hasn’t been created against this variant. The variants previously, that’s what’s in the vaccine. So yes, it’s not going to be as effective, but whether it’s herd immunity, whether it’s vaccine immunity, whether it’s just an individual that’s had multiple versions of COVID, you’ll have some protection in that manner,” Patel said.

Variant affecting children

Health officials are saying the variant seems to be mostly infecting children, but doctors say researchers are still trying to understand why.

The symptoms look familiar: fever, chills, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, nausea, and fatigue — the same signs seen with other variants.

“The biggest thing is it’s not causing any more significant hospitalizations or deaths,” Patel said.

Patel said COVID has a history of spiking around August when school is back in session.

“They’re wondering if this could, with its, like you were saying, with the spike protein and all the mutations within it, could it become that new, that new surge, that new wave that dominates over 50% of the cases?” Patel said.

Doctors say there is no need to panic yet, but they urge people to stay alert, especially when kids head back to school in the fall.

The Louisiana Department of Health recommends staying up to date on all vaccinations, practicing good hand hygiene, and staying home when sick.

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