Another Variant of Interest: The Mu COVID-19 Variant
The Mu variant was first discovered in Colombia in January, and has since spread to 40 countries and is now found in 49 states in the U.S. The World Health Organization says it is mutated in a way that shows potential properties of immune escape, meaning it may have the ability to evade immunity from a previous COVID infection or vaccination. A “variant of interest” is not a “variant of concern”, which is a variant that has been proven to acquire one of those characteristics, making it more dangerous and so more consequential. Mu is being monitored closely to see if it should be re-designated as a variant of concern.
The U.S. saw its peak of Mu variant cases in mid-July but case numbers involving that variant have been declining since, signaling either a weakening of the strain or indicating a worrisome future. The key questions are whether Mu is more transmissible than the currently dominant variant, delta, and whether it can cause more severe disease.
The new Covid-19 variant “Mu” is not an immediate threat to the United States, federal health officials said Thursday. Delta was a variant of interest until the WHO reclassified it in early May after preliminary studies found it could spread more easily than other versions of the virus. That variant has since been blamed for a number of large outbreaks around the world, including in the United States. The delta variant is still the dominant variant in the U.S., covering more than 99% of new infections in the country. The Mu variant “isn’t even close to being dominant”, a federal official said – which is good news.
Yavapai County reports 277 COVID-19 cases and 8 Deaths since Friday, September 3rd. The county has tested 139,307 residents for COVID-19 and there have been 24,319 positive cases and 596 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Yavapai Regional Medical Center reports 48 COVID-19 patients, VVMC reports 15, and the VA has 4 COVID-19 patients.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or what seems to be a bad cold, please get tested for COVID-19. Testing sites: https://yavapaiaz.gov/Portals/39/COVID-19/TestingSitesinYavapaiCounty.pdf.
The best way to avoid getting infected is to get vaccinated. The vaccines are safe, effective, and free. Check out: https://yavapaiaz.gov/chs/Home/COVID-19/COVID-19-Vaccine-Appointments or Call: 928-771-3122 for appointments. Phone Bank for Assistance: 928-442-5103. Or www.vaccine.gov
