The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that this was to be expected
“It really was just a matter of time. I have no doubt that we have more cases in the state we just haven’t identified yet,” Kanter said.
The Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana. Kanter says officials getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of COVID-19
“Neither of these two individuals were vaccinated and the vaccines we have remain a really good match for this and the other variants,” Kanter said.
The CDC says the Brazilian COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and carries a higher risk of severe disease. Kanter says it’s likely there are other variants to be discovered.
“As our ability to genomically sequence these types of samples grows, I think we’re going to find more and more variants,” Kanter said.
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