Understanding the "Cicada" COVID Variant: A New Approach
By Marge | Published 2026-04-18T22:05:15.838Z
News
As spring unfolds across the Blue Ridge, we are seeing a change in the local landscape—not just in the blooming wildflowers, but in the health news
WNC -- April 18, 2026: As spring unfolds across the Blue Ridge, we are seeing a change in the local landscape—not just in the blooming wildflowers, but in the health news. A new subvariant of COVID-19, nicknamed "Cicada" (BA.3.2), has begun to circulate in over 31 states, including North Carolina. While this isn’t a return to the crisis days of 2020, it represents a significant shift in how our community manages health in 2026.The "Cicada" Nickname: What It Really MeansScientists nicknamed this