‘It is not surprising that this coronavirus was mutated. This is what viruses do. ‘
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – About a month ago, a rapidly spreading variant of the COVID-19 virus was found in the UK. It was not long before the new mutation moved to the US – and now to Oregon.
This past weekend, a staff member on campus at the University of Portland tested positive for the new type of COVID-19, called B 117. The employee had no travel history.
Dr. Jeff Absalon, CEO of the St. Charles health system, said it is not surprising if virus mutates.
“It is not surprising that this coronavirus has mutated,” Absalon said. “This is what viruses do, it changes over time.”
Although the new virus appears to spread faster than the original strain, it is not lethal and is not immune to the current COVID-19 vaccine. Absalon told NewsChannel 21 on Monday that people in Central Oregon must be constantly vigilant and do what they can to stop the spread.
“The public should now be just as concerned as during the pandemic,” Absalon said. “I think this is a very serious pandemic, and we urge everyone to do their part to prevent the spread of this virus.”
The Oregon Health Authority said the other big difference, other than how fast the new variant spreads, is that it appears to bind more tightly to respiratory cells.
Morgan Emerson, health information officer at Deschutes County Health Services, said it was too early to know if the new strain could come to Deschutes County, but there is still cause for concern.
“It’s too early to know exactly, but it’s important to know that it’s in Oregon, and we know it’s spreading faster,” Emerson said.
Absalon added that although St. Charles has changed his treatment regimen a number of times throughout the pandemic, there is no plan to change the way they handle COVID-19 cases with the news of a new strain.