In California, a new COVID-19 subvariant called Cicada is showing signs of spreading, raising concerns about the potential resurgence of infections as summer approaches.

With the increase in travel during the summer season, there is a heightened sensitivity to this situation.

According to a report by the LA Times, this variant is classified as a subvariant of Omicron in the BA.3.2 lineage, and cases are gradually increasing in some areas of California.

While it is not yet considered the dominant strain, the issue is the "timing."

This is because it coincides with the summer vacation season, when contact between people increases and both indoor and outdoor activities rise.

This variant was first reported in South Africa in November 2024 and began to be detected in several countries, including the United States, in 2025.

Looking at the trends so far, COVID variants have followed a pattern of rapidly spreading globally after being discovered in specific countries.

According to data from the CDC, as of 2025, the vaccination update rate for the elderly often falls below half.

This means that groups at high risk for severe illness are not being adequately protected. The structure could lead to a bigger problem of "increased hospitalization rates" rather than the infection itself.

It is noteworthy that this variant may have a high transmission potential similar to existing Omicron strains.

So far, initial analyses show no evidence of a sharply increased fatality rate.

However, if transmission increases, the total number of infections will rise, ultimately leading to an increase in the absolute number of severe cases.

This pattern has been repeated during the pandemic.

Especially for the elderly or those with underlying health conditions, it is a realistic response to check their vaccination status and to adhere to basic hygiene practices in crowded environments.