The subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 account for nearly 70 percent of cases in the U.S. in December 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People infected with these subvariants also tend to report cold-like symptoms:

• sore throats
• headaches
• runny noses
• fever and night sweats
• muscle aches
• coughs

Symptoms are typically more prolonged in unvaccinated people, compared with those who are vaccinated, according to the CDC. Understand Your Risk

If you have the above symptoms, take a rapid test and isolate for five days. As we head into the colder months, seasonal allergies, influenza, and the common cold will also become more common. Many of these share symptoms with subvariant BQ.1.1, and keeping a COVID-19 home testing kit on hand can help you differentiate between COVID-19 and other seasonal illness.

Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests this winter.
Every U.S. household is eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests.

Canyonlands Healthcare offers COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.  Locate the Canyonlands Healthcare center near you.