
This fall, when Americans were processing the almost inexistent transition from summer to fall, COVID-19 alarms started to arise. First, there was a steady uptick in wastewater COVID-19 levels, followed by a slight increase in hospitalizations.
Then, right in the middle of August, the World Health Organization declared it was monitoring a brand new omicron variant known as BA.2.86, also known as Pirola, created from a high number of mutations.
The sheer amount of genetic distance from its ancestors was extremely concerning to the majority of experts. The variant had no less than 30 mutations, and about the same number differentiated the highly transmissible and viral omicron variant from its predecessors.
Moreover, experts feared the worst was yet to come. As it turns out, Pirola is more transmissible and less susceptible to vaccine-induced protection than other variants circulating over the past year and a half.
Over the last couple of weeks, plenty of laboratory studies led to a positive relief: on a cellular level, Pirola isn’t as alarming. This means that the chances of this variant leading to a massive room-flooding of COVID-19 are quite small.
Other, less mutated omicron variants are still dominant strains, and it seems very unlikely for Pirola to wreak major havoc anytime soon.
Also, there’s positive news: scientists are doing enough sequencing to detect any new variants before they’re widespread. But this shouldn’t lead you to believe that you don’t need to get vaccinated anymore.
Even if there’s no scary new variant on the horizon, COVID-19 transmission is still on the uptick, and along with it, a very unwelcome sense of familiarity.
If you’re wondering what the current state of COVID-19 is today, we’re going to get into that immediately. Here’s a closer look at the latest COVID-19 variant and the COVID-19 hospitalization situation, but also as to what COVID-19 transmission trends over time.
9 Responses
Haven’t your lies killed enough people with the Clot Shot?
I find it hard to understand those who choose to believe that the vaccine will do harm, and believe all the false theories posted by ignorant people.
I have a serious question no one will answer, why is it that my backside being double masked doesn’t work while expelling gas, but a single mask on a person’s face works every time to keep the molecular viruses out…?
is covid increasing or not?
Please give me a break you guys are bought and paided for comparison covid with Republicans and Democrat.. We want our country back!
Please, don’t make Covid a political issue. Not Everything is a political issue. Really! Be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day and remember our Forefathers who made this day possible. God bless America! ๐ฆ ๐บ๐ธ
Illegal aliens bringing it.
This is my 3rd time that I have incurred illness from covid. Covid is here to stay. Please, everyone In regards to staying virus free proceed with caution and listen to the experts.
Is it OK to get the flu shot at the same time you get the new Covid shot?