Due to its high mutation count, experts believe it may partially evade immunity from past vaccines or infections.
As of late April 2026, national data suggests a period of relative calm following the winter peak. Key metrics include: Daily COVID-19 Cases in U.S. Highest in Months
The national rate fell to 1.3% for the week ending April 18, 2026, down from 1.7% the prior week. Due to its high mutation count, experts believe
It features over 70 substitutions and deletions relative to earlier Omicron strains. Due to its high mutation count
Emergency department visits diagnosed as COVID-19 remain at 0.2%, while new hospital admissions have stabilized at approximately 1,500 per week. Variant Spotlight: "Cicada" (BA.3.2)