An 80-year-old woman died in Ivano-Frankivsk region from the new COVID-19 strain, FLiRT . Despite concomitant diseases, the woman was confirmed to have been infected with the virus. This was reported by Ruslan Savchuk, Director General of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health, according to
An 80-year-old resident of one of the communities of Ivano-Frankivsk district was laboratory confirmed to have the FLiRT sub-variant of the classic Omicron strain.
“The woman also had concomitant diseases – diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. The main diagnosis was coronavirus disease, as she had all the symptoms and it was clinically and laboratory confirmed,” Savchuk says.
The pensioner was hospitalised in a hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk with a high fever and in a serious condition. She was treated and her condition stabilised.
“The woman was transferred to the therapeutic ward and then died a few days later. That is, 20 days passed from the time of hospitalisation to the moment when she became worse and died. Doctors provided all possible assistance, but COVID-19 took her life,” says Ruslan Savchuk.
So far, the FLiRT sub-variant has been confirmed in Prykarpattia only in the deceased pensioner. However, the coronavirus disease is actively circulating.
“On Monday, 5 August, we had 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. Only today, 7 August, 63 cases have been diagnosed in the laboratory. Compared to June and July, we have an 11% increase in the number of cases,” Savchuk said.
FLiRT coronavirus strain: what is known about it
It comes from the Omicron variant. Due to specific mutations in the spike protein, the virus binds better to cells and avoids the immune response. This means that FLiRT is more likely to affect weakened immune systems, and even previously vaccinated people can get sick. However, the acquired immunity after vaccination reduces the risk of complications during the disease.
The WHO does not yet provide a specific assessment of the risk of FLiRT, but notes that it needs to be monitored at the country level. Available research shows that current vaccines, including boosters, remain effective in protecting against severe COVID-19, although they cannot completely prevent infection with the new strain.
Symptoms of the FLiRT strain
Symptoms of the new FLiRT strain are similar to other Omicron sub-variants. They include sore throat, cough, fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, muscle aches, fever, and possible loss of taste and smell.
The World Health Organisation has not yet provided a specific assessment of the risks of FLiRT, but notes that it needs to be monitored on a country-by-country basis. Studies show that registered vaccines remain effective in protecting against severe forms of Covid-19, although they cannot completely prevent infection with the new strain.
Dr Taras Zhyravetskyi specially for 