Health officials keep eye on ‘FLiRT’ COVID variants that could lead to fall surge

With Maryland nearing 1.5 million reported cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, experts are monitoring new variants of the virus that could create a surge in cases in the coming months. Despite its cutesy nickname, health officials say the so-called “FLiRT” variants of COVID-19 seem to be more successful at evading immunity despite previous infections or vaccinations.