Local

New COVID-19 variant found in Ohio

By Staff report
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Ohio Department of Health director, gives an update on COVID-19 in the state on Feb. 4.
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Ohio Department of Health director, gives an update on COVID-19 in the state on Feb. 4. (SCREENSHOT | YOUTUBE)

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA, confirmed Thursday that the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 has been detected in one case in Lorain County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers BA.2.86 a notable variant because it contains a number of mutations that make it distinct from other currently circulating lineages.

There have been at least 23 other human cases caused by BA.2.86, including two in the United States, in Michigan and Virginia. It also has been confirmed in Canada (1 case), Denmark (10), Israel (1), Portugal (2), the United Kingdom (1), Sweden (4), and South Africa (2).

“At this point, there is no evidence that this variant is causing any more severe illness, hospitalizations or deaths,” Dr. Vanderhoff said.

CONNECT WITH US

WEB SITE ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com

DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/

FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters

TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters

YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814

INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters

SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW