VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) -The new COVID-19 strand has made its way to the United States. Health experts say the COVID-19 XE variant could be more transmissible than the omicron strain.
COVID-19 cases have declined in our local medical facilities, for once in two years we are breaking out of a nationwide pandemic. However, now, there’s a new variant that could potentially take us back to square one.
XE was first detected in mid-January in the United Kingdom. There are more than 600 cases that have been reported since then.
Kenneth Lowery, district epidemiologist of the Department of Public Health gave insight on what you should know about the new stain.
He says the XE virus is a recombinant strain. This means it is made up of the original omicron BA.1 and BA.2 strains.
He says residents shouldn’t have any worries just yet but encourages everyone to be mindful of what could come.
“I know that it’s starting to pick up percentage-wise in the number of cases in the United States fortunately we’re not really seeing that here.”
Implementing the same protocol recommended by the CDC is very important to help keep you and your loved ones.
Copyright 2022 WALB. All rights reserved.