COVID-19 ‘Cicada’ Variant: A Late Summer Surge in 45 States

Health officials are urging Americans to stay vigilant as COVID-19 cases surge across at least 45 U.S. states this late summer. The highly mutated BA.3.2 variant, also known as “Cicada”, is responsible for approximately 15% of current cases, as per the latest CDC data.

The Cicada variant stands out due to its 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein compared to earlier strains. This raises concerns about the efficacy of existing vaccines. The variant’s nickname, ‘Cicada’, mirrors its behavior. Much like the insect, it remained dormant for an extended period before re-emerging with renewed force. First identified in South Africa in November 2024, the variant has now been detected in dozens of countries.

The silver lining is that current evidence suggests BA.3.2 does not cause more severe illness than other recent Omicron subvariants. Most cases are mild to moderate. Symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, cough, and fever can easily be mistaken for a common cold or flu. Experts warn that transmission is expected to peak around early September, coinciding with the back-to-school season. The FDA has already recommended updating the 2026–2027 COVID vaccine to target the dominant XFG (“Stratus”) strain. Testing remains the only reliable way to distinguish COVID from other circulating respiratory viruses.

Source: TODAY – Summer COVID Surge: Cases Rise Across 45 States (August 2026)