Rheumatic Conditions

HV.1 COVID Variant: Key Facts and Updates

The HV.1 variant of COVID-19 emerged as a dominant strain in the United States during late 2023, rapidly spreading across the population . Despite its high contagiousness, HV.1 does not appear to cause more severe illness than previous Omicron subvariants, though it remains a significant contributor to COVID-19 cases nationwide . Vaccination efforts, including updated boosters, continue to play a crucial role in reducing severe outcomes from HV.1 and related variants .