Two COVID-19 variants found in county
By Terry Murry on Friday, July 2nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Two new variants of COVID-19 have been identified over the past week in specimens collected by the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health.
The two variants detected were P.1 (Gamma) and B.1.617.2 (Delta). These are the first known variant cases in the county.
Since June, the Department o f Health has been using genome sequencing to identify COVID-19 variants around the state. The Delta variant, which was first identified in India, has shown to be highly transmissible and easily spread from one individual to another.
The Gamma variant was initially detected in Brazil and has 17 unique mutations. According to the DOH website, “There is evidence to suggest that some of the mutations may affect the ability of antibodies (natural and from the vaccine) to recognize and neutralize the virus, but additional studies are needed).
As the state has now reopened, the DOH continues to recommend everyone eligible gets vaccinated. Although the Delta variant is more contagious, county health officials say getting vaccinated will still provide protection against hospitalization and death.
