You might be hearing whispers about a new COVID variant, and it's natural to wonder if it's another big wave. But what if this latest strain, nicknamed "Cicada," is showing some surprising twists in how it affects us and how we're responding?
The "Cicada" variant is trending because of an uptick in cases and hospitalizations, particularly in late 2026, sparking public concern and media attention.
While not reaching the peak levels of early pandemic waves, the rise in infections caused by Cicada prompted health officials to issue new advisories and increased testing, leading to its high visibility in news and social media discussions.