OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – COVID-19 circumstances are as soon as once more on the rise throughout the nation, together with Oklahoma.
In a Tuesday COVID-19 briefing that includes the COVID-19 Response Team, the White House and different public well being officers, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH indicated that almost 80 p.c of all COVID circumstances within the U.S. proper now may be linked to the subvariants.
“We do not know yet about the clinical severity of BA.4 and BA.5 in comparison to other Omicron subvariants, but we do know it to be more transmissible,” she mentioned throughout Tuesday’s briefing.
The most up-to-date information launched by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) additionally mirrored the sudden spike in circumstances.
“We at the State Health Department are continually monitoring COVID not only across the world but within the United States,” mentioned Jolianne Stone, MPH, State Epidemiologist for OSDH.
Oklahoma well being specialists mentioned Tuesday that the most recent COVID variants are accountable for the sudden spike in circumstances, whereas including that they’re much more contagious than earlier strains of the virus.
The new variants, labeled by specialists as BA.4 and BA.5, are linked to the omicron pressure of COVID-19.
“This is six times more contagious [than the original Alpha variant], so it’s spreading like wildfire,” added Dr. Mary Clarke, household doctor and rapid previous president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
The most up-to-date seven-day average in Oklahoma documented almost 1100 circumstances, together with greater than 200 hospitalizations (together with 28 pediatric hospitalizations).
“That’s [1,100 cases] only the people that we know about,” mentioned Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU’s Chief COVID Officer. “[And] we have seen hospitalizations start to go up primarily by the sheer number of people that are getting infected.”
Common symptoms of an infection embrace runny nostril, sore throat, headache, persistent cough and fatigue.
“The biggest [factor] that’s driving [the COVID spike in Oklahoma] is the same one that’s been reported nationally,” he continued, referring to the subvariant BA.5.
State particular information compiled on July 9 from OU Health utilizing CDC information exhibits that “BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 now represent 98.9 percent of all cases across the state”.
Nearly 70 p.c of these circumstances are attributed to BA.5, alone.
Oklahoma medical doctors additionally mentioned that it’s doable to get one in all these newest variants of COVID, even when beforehand vaccinated or if somebody has had COVID prior to now.
“You have good COVID immunity for about 90 days; after that, your immunity falls off,” mentioned Dr. Clarke.
“You may still get infected with this particular variant,” added Dr. Bratzler, additionally saying that whereas unvaccinated people are at a better threat for an infection, the possibility of being hospitalized or experiencing issues for the illness are a lot much less for individuals who have had a vaccine.
Experts mentioned Tuesday a vaccine continues to be one of the best ways to combat the virus, together with remedy and masking.
“None of the [previous] recommendations have changed,” mentioned Stone. “Think of your individual health and take measures to ensure that your health is protected.”
“[The vaccine] will decrease your risk of getting hospitalized and dying,” added Dr. Clarke.
“Anything’s better than nothing.”
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