New COVID Variant Detected in Multiple States
A new COVID strain has been identified in at least 25 states, with experts noting that this variant, known as BA 3.2 or “cicada,” was first spotted in the U.S. back in June 2025.
This variant originated in South Africa in November 2024, but cases in the United States began to rise in September 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Evidence of the cicada variant has been found in nasal swabs from four travelers, in three airplane wastewater samples, and in clinical samples from five patients, as well as 132 wastewater samples scattered across 25 states.
The CDC has indicated that this mutation might aid the virus in evading immunity from previous infections or vaccinations and that it appears to spread quite easily.
The states where cicada has been reported include:
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wyoming
The CDC reported, “Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants capable of evading immunity from past infections or vaccinations could lead to seasonal surges in COVID-19 cases. Ongoing surveillance will be essential for guiding the CDC’s preparedness in responding to new variants and making informed decisions regarding vaccine updates.”
The nickname “cicada” was chosen because the variant had largely remained under the radar after its initial detection, according to Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, who shared this insight with USA TODAY.
While COVID-19 has become less severe compared to its earlier days, CDC figures indicate that it was responsible for between 390,000 and 550,000 hospitalizations and around 45,000 to 64,000 deaths during the respiratory virus season of 2024–2025.
Symptoms associated with cicada are similar to those of other variants and may include a runny or stuffy nose, headaches, fatigue, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, and alterations in smell or taste.
“I haven’t seen any evidence suggesting that cicada is more severe than other variants currently circulating,” said Hopkins. “A severe sore throat seems to be a common complaint, along with other usual COVID symptoms.”
