COVID cases rising in Chicago

A summer COVID-19 bump has hit Chicago.

Why it matters: While the disease no longer kills as many as it used to, it's still dangerous for vulnerable people, and last weekend's holiday gatherings and travel are expected to spread more infections.

Zoom out: As of June 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified at least 44 states, including Illinois , where the number of COVID infections is growing or likely growing.

• The KP.3 and KP.2 strains, descendants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant and among the so-called FLiRT variants , account for more than half of infections, according to the CDC .

Zoom in: Six of Chicago's seven sewershed areas show rising levels of COVID over the past three weeks, with the sharpest rise in Lincoln Park and the Near North Side.

• More than half of local cases come from FLiRT variants.

What they're saying: "As of June 28, the proportion of emergency department visits attributed to COVID-19 diagnoses … has increased from 4.7% to 5.6%," Alexander Sloboda, medical director of immunization at the Chicago Department of Public Health, tells Axios.

• COVID deaths, however, remain low .

What to watch: The CDC recently recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get the updated COVID vaccine when it comes out this fall, regardless of whether they've been vaccinated before.

• The FDA has recommended that drugmakers target the KP.2 strain .