If you didn't already know this, COVID is on the rise. No, that isn't a scare tactic--it's a reality.

Folks in Utah and Washington? They're saying symptoms are a little strange compared to the 'original' COVID.

Yes, it's here-- that pesky new variant. Here is what to be on the lookout for: 

Utah and Washington Experience Weird New COVID Symptoms

Feeling ill? You may want to check this out...

Gallery Credit: Credit: Mateo, 103.5 KISS FM

Have you or a loved one experienced any of these symptoms? 

Prior to the global pandemic, this whole "COVID" thing wasn't even on our radars and now that we've made it through the mania that was 2020 and beyond--we know that just like cold and flu season, so too will there be the occasional COVID spike.

Like anything else, COVID-19 will mutate and new variants will come about. Remember in the beginning, one of the symptoms was blue lips! Did you experience that?

It's gross to think about, but health officials all across our nation are continuing to monitor COVID-19 cases by using waste water. It's a simple way to test bodily fluid and the presence of COVID in them.  They can also tell which variants are present.

Some experts say that cases may be as high as they have been since the onset of the pandemic-- the difference now, of course, is that health officials know what they're dealing with and there are vaccines and other preventative steps available to the public.

Interested in Utah COVID-19 stats, you can find those HERE.

Living in Washington? Your COVID-19 updates can be found HERE.

As always, the CDC has the most up to date information about COVID-19 and its respective variants--keep tabs on this, HERE

Eerie Photos Compare Downtown Boise 2-years After Pandemic

Our friend Chip Schultz just two years ago ventured out to a shut-down, downtown Boise where he was able to capture photos of silent streets and store fronts. The pandemic shut it all down and frankly it has felt like a lot longer than two years. On nearly 2-years to the day, Chip returned to the streets of downtown Boise with his camera--this time, he wasn't the only person on the streets. As nightlife and business has returned to downtown Boise, it is absolutely insane to see the exact same angles and lenses, two years later.

5 Things Idahoans Lowkey Miss from the Covid-19 Quarantine

Some things that came out of the quarantine were actually pretty great.

Gallery Credit: Stephanie Gull

More From 103.5 KISS FM