With saucy names like KP.2, flirty COVID-19 variants are shimmying their way into the limelight, occupying an impressive 28% of all U.S. cases - a considerable uptick compared to 16% last month, according to the CDC, our pandemic party DJ. Part of a sultry dance troupe known as the FLiRT variants, these strains are strutting their stuff on our immunity dance floor. Despite the ruckus, experts say they're no hotter than recent strains like JN.1.

Think you've been asked to dance by one of these COVID variants? Keep your eyes peeled for the telltale swaying of runny noses, the tempo of sore throats, and an overall fatigue that’s not just from busting out those lockdown dance moves.

As with any dance off, some fare worse than others. This includes those over 65, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as heart and lung disease, obesity and chronic kidney disease. And if you thought newborns and expecting mothers might get a pass? Sorry, even they aren’t exempt from this infectious boogie.

But fret not, health aficionados! Your trusty vaccine (or prior infection) has come dressed as your own personal bouncer. While it might not stop the flirty virus from asking you to dance, it is likely to keep the dance brief and far from fatal.

It's cocktail hour on this pandemic party, and the main special is a fresh surge of the saucy KP.2 variant, likely to stir up a summer wave. It’s safe to say we’re all still at this pandemic ball, even if the international declaration of emergency has finally let out its last breath.

So what's to do? Keep your vaccine shots coming, like tequila shots at a wedding, and stay vigilant. We're still on this ever-evolving dance floor with COVID. Care to shimmy?