New COVID variant detected in Ohio

A new variant of COVID-19 has been detected in several countries and U.S. states, including Ohio. The strain, named "BA.2.86," has been found in Israel, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland and Thailand, the The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported. In the United States, the variant was detected in Virginia, Michigan, New York City and in Lorain County, Ohio. The variant was detected in people and in wastewater. "We call it wastewater surveillance. We collect samples and send it to (the Ohio Department of Health) regularly, and they check for fragments of the virus, because it was found out that people with the COVID infection do pass some of the fragments of the virus in their waste," said Health Commissioner and Director of Hancock Public Health Karim Baroudi. "If they detect any changes in the load of that virus in that wastewater, we'll get alerted to that." The dominant coronavirus variant in 2023 locally is named "XBB.1.5," but that specific strain was found to not cause a significant increase in hospitalizations, Baroudi wrote in an email. An updated COVID-19 vaccine will be available in mid-to-late September, meant to address the newer variants circulating in the U.S. "It's like a booster shot, and they're updating it to make sure it's effective on the multiple variants that we've seen so far," Baroudi said. "When it's available we'll announce it to the public and hold clinics as well." About 65% of Hancock County's population has started the COVID-19 vaccination process. A little over 60% have completed the vaccines. Hancock Public Health urges the community to take precautions to protect themselves and others, which include: Getting recommended seasonal vaccines Staying home when sick Getting tested for COVID-19 if needed Seeking treatment if you have COVID-19 and are immunocompromised and at high risk of getting very sick If you choose to wear a mask, wearing a high-quality one that fits well over the nose and mouth Improving ventilation to indoor spaces Washing your hands more frequently "The emergence of variants is not the reason to panic. We are closely monitoring what's going on, especially hospitalization and serious illnesses," Baroudi said. "I think it's upon all of us to protect ourselves, especially during the (flu) season that's upcoming. To make sure we protect the most vulnerable around us, who might have an immunocompromised condition."