New ‘Cicada’ COVID variant hits US: What BA.3.2 means and why experts are watching

The BA.3.2 COVID-19 variant, nicknamed “Cicada,” has emerged in the United States and multiple countries, prompting close monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. Detected in wastewater and clinical samples, it remains a small share of cases in the U.S.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• The BA.3.2 COVID-19 variant, nicknamed “Cicada,” has emerged in the United States and multiple countries, prompting close monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World…
• Detected in wastewater and clinical samples, it remains a small share of cases in the U.S.
• but has spread internationally.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• Detected in wastewater and clinical samples, it remains a small share of cases in the U.S.
• but has spread internationally.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• but has spread internationally.
• The BA.3.2 COVID-19 variant, nicknamed “Cicada,” has emerged in the United States and multiple countries, prompting close monitoring by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World…
• Detected in wastewater and clinical samples, it remains a small share of cases in the U.S.