Covid-19 cases in Georgia have been on the steady decline, though cases of the main strain continue to drop there have been new variants of the virus detected in the state.
In a press conference the Georgia Department of Public Health announced and confirmed that there has been one case of the variant from Brazil found in Georgia.
The Brazilian variant is the third one found so far and is said to be
the most contagious. The other variants that have been found in Georgia are
from the United Kingdom and from South Africa. The county of the confirmed
variant case was not released during the press conference.
Bulloch County Health Department recommends that citizens continue to social distance, wear mask and not to remain calm. “This is not a time to panic and go see loved ones to make sure they are okay. It has not been released where in Georgia the variant was found, so going out and vising people is not the wisest thing to do. The best thing to do is to keep social distancing and wearing mask, as for the new variant that was found it is important that they do contact tracing to keep others safe and hopefully stop the spread of this variant,” said nurse Jackson.
According to CDC officials
Georgia currently 367 confirmed Covid-19 variant cases, there are 351 cases of
the UK variant, 15 cases of the South African variant, and one case of the
variant from Brazil.
Georgia Southern student
and Covid-19 survivor Hailey Lovelace does not feel as though the new variant
should bring about any major changes in the way that people proceed in their
daily lives. “I don’t think this new variant should lead to a shutdown, I
understand that it is more contagious and more dangerous, but there is only one
case of right now, so we really should not worry right now, let’s worry when
there are 100 cases,” said Lovelace.
According to the CDC the new variant has the potential to lead to more cases of Covid-19 because of its ability to spread easier and quicker than the main strain of Covid.
Reports
from the CDC also suggests that antibodies in the Covid-19 vaccination may be
able to recognize and help fight off these variants.
Georgia Southern alumnus
Rickey Beltran voiced his concerns with the new variant, “I have the vaccine
but I’m still kind of nervous, I mean the vaccine isn’t a guaranteed protection
from the virus, and now on top of that there are more strains being detected.
If the vaccine covers the various strains then okay, I’m satisfied but if not,
then I’m going back in line for the new vaccine whenever it drops,” said
Beltran.
Statesboro resident Adam Hampton has doubts
about the new variant, “I’m not doubting that it exists, what I doubt is the
severity of it. If the virus variant was really as dangerous as people believe
that it is then why not say where it was found so we know to stay away from
that area, I have had Covid already and it was not that bad, so if this new
strain is like the old one then I’m not too worried.”
Georgia has expanded the eligibility
for the Covid-19 vaccine which now includes all Georgians from the age of 16
and older.