“It is no surprise that this coronavirus has mutated. This is what viruses do. ‘
BEND, Oregon. (KTVZ) – About a month ago, a rapidly spreading variant of the COVID-19 virus was found in the United Kingdom. It didn’t take long for the new mutation to reach the United States – and now, Oregon.
Last weekend, a member of the Portland University campus team tested positive for the new strain of COVID-19, called B 117. The employee had no travel history.
Dr. Jeff Absalon, chief physician of the St. Charles Health System, said it is not surprising when the virus mutates.
“It is not surprising that this coronavirus has mutated,” said Absalon. “This is what viruses do, they change over time.”
Although the new virus appears to spread faster than the original strain, it is no longer deadly or immune to the current COVID-19 vaccine. Absalon told NewsChannel 21 on Monday that people in central Oregon should remain vigilant and do what they can to prevent the spread.
“The public should be as concerned now as at any time during the pandemic,” said Absalon. “I think this is a very serious pandemic, and we just ask everyone to do their part to prevent the virus from spreading.”
The Oregon Health Authority said the other big difference, in addition to how quickly the new variant spreads, is that it appears to bind more strongly to respiratory cells.
Morgan Emerson, health information officer for Deschutes County Health Services, said it was too early to say whether the new strain could reach Deschutes County, but there was still cause for concern.
“It is too early to know exactly, but it is worrying to know that it is in Oregon and we know that it spreads more quickly,” said Emerson.
Absalon added that while St. Charles changed his treatment regimen several times during the pandemic, as of now there are no plans to change the way they are handling COVID-19 cases with news of a new strain.