CO health officials respond to the arrival of a new, rapidly spreading COVID-19 strain in Oregon



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“ It is not surprising that this coronavirus has mutated. That’s what viruses do ”.

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – About a month ago, a rapidly spreading variant of the COVID-19 virus was discovered in the UK. It didn’t take long for the new mutation to reach the United States – and now, Oregon.

Last weekend, a staff member on the University of Portland campus tested positive for the new strain of COVID-19, called B 117. The employee had no travel history.

Dr. Jeff Absalon, chief medical officer of the St. Charles Health System, said it was no surprise the virus mutated.

“It is not surprising that this coronavirus has mutated,” Absalon said. “That’s what viruses do, they change over time.”

Although the new virus apparently spreads faster than the original strain, it is not more deadly nor is it immune to the current COVID-19 vaccine. Absalon told NewsChannel 21 on Monday that residents of central Oregon should continue to be vigilant and do what they can to stop the spread.

“The public should be as worried now as at any time during the pandemic,” Absalon said. “I think this is a very serious pandemic, and we urge everyone to play their part to prevent the spread of this virus.”

The Oregon Health Authority said the only other big difference, besides how quickly the new variant spreads, is that it appears to bind more tightly to respiratory cells.

Morgan Emerson, head of health information for Deschutes County Health Services, said it was too early to say if the new strain could enter Deschutes County, but there is still reason to s ‘worry.

“It’s too early to know exactly, but it’s worrying that it’s in Oregon, and we know it’s spreading faster,” Emerson said.

Absalon added that while Saint-Charles has changed their treatment regimen several times throughout the pandemic, there are no plans to change the way they treat COVID-19 cases with the news of a new strain.

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