'Cicada' COVID variant found in Ohio. What to do if you have it

· Yahoo News

A "highly mutated" COVID variant that flew under the radar for years has been detected in a growing number of U.S. states, including Ohio, health officials said this week.

The strain, nicknamed "Cicada," had been detected in 25 states as of March 27, according to USA TODAY. The strain accounts for only a small number of cases in the United States, but represents up to 30% in some European countries. Still, the CDC said its monitoring of the spread "provides valuable information" about the strain's potential to infect those who have been vaccinated or immunized from a previous infection.

Starting to feel sick? The Ohio Department of Health offers guidelines on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, Cicada or otherwise. Learn more about symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Where has Cicada COVID-19 been found?

The Cicada COVID-19 variant has been detected in Ohio and 24 other states, with states in New England and the Eastern Seaboard seeing the most positive tests.

Ohio COVID-19 hospitalizations trending down

Ohio has seen a steady decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations since a peak at the beginning of January 2026. The state reported 136 hospitalizations for the week ending March 21 (the most recent data available at the time of publication), down from a peak of 857 hospitalizations on Jan. 3, according to the Ohio Department of Health's Respiratory Dashboard.

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Northeast Central Ohio, which includes Stark and Summit counties, and Northwest Ohio, which includes Toledo, have seen the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the beginning of March 2026, the hospitalization map on the Respiratory Dashboard shows.

What should you do if you test positive for Cicada COVID-19? Ohio Department of Health shares guidance

The Ohio Department of Health advises staying home until you’re fever-free for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms are improving.

"Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home, but if you are at higher risk for severe illness, such as those over age 65 and those who are immunocompromised or have a chronic medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider right away, as treatments may prevent you from getting severely ill," ODH stated in an email.

The agency adds that the CDC streamlined its recommendations across respiratory diseases including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Core prevention includes staying current with recommended immunizations, washing hands frequently, taking steps for cleaner air, and staying home when sick. Additional prevention strategies such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and getting tested can also further reduce your risk of respiratory illness, the CDC notes.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

According to the CDC, common COVID-19 symptoms include:

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  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Individuals with COVID-19 may experience mild symptoms to severe illness that may appear several days after exposure to the virus, the CDC says.

Does Ohio offer free COVID-19 vaccines? How to check

Yes, in some cases. State or local health department immunization programs may offer COVID-19 vaccines, such as the ODH Adult Immunization Program, which provides vaccines to local health departments for uninsured individuals at no charge.

Health Resources and Services Administration-supported health centers provide care to patients regardless of their ability to pay with more than 16,000 sites across the country. According to the CDC, most health centers have updated COVID-19 vaccines available and adjust their fees based on income and family size.

What is the COVID variant 'Cicada' (BA.3.2)?

"Cicada" is a nickname given to BA.3.2, a highly mutated COVID-19 variant. It was first detected in a person who did not live in but was traveling to the U.S. from abroad in June 2025 and was nicknamed after the rarely emerging insects because it has largely remained undetected or "underground" since discovery, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, previously told USA TODAY.The first case in a U.S. patient was diagnosed in January, he said. Between then and the latest available data from Feb. 11, it was detected in wastewater samples from 132 sites across at least 25 states, according to the CDC. The variant was also present in samples from travelers' voluntary nose swabs. Cases began increasing worldwide in September 2025.

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The variant is considered "highly mutated," as its 70-75 mutations make it distinct from the JN.1 lineage, which has been the source of the predominant U.S. strains over the last two years, according to Hopkins.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What to do if you test positive for COVID 'Cicada' variant in Ohio