Once the newly recognized omicron COVID-19 variant is recognized in the U.S., Kentuckians ought to anticipate it to rapidly arrive in the commonwealth, Norton Healthcare’s System Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Steven Hester, mentioned Monday.

Cases have been confirmed in Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Israel, Hong Kong, Canada and the United Kingdom, USA Today reported Sunday.

The variant was first recognized in South Africa and is labeled as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization as a result of, Hester mentioned, “it may have some potential to have … increased transmissibility; it may have some some resistance to some of the potential therapies and vaccines.”

There are nonetheless a number of unknowns about the variant, although. In a Monday afternoon video shared to social media, Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned we must always know extra about the variant at the finish of this week and subsequent.

“Just breathe,” he mentioned. “There is a lot that we do not know about this variant.”

He inspired folks to masks when acceptable and get their booster pictures.

“We know not to panic,” Beshear mentioned. “We know that the information will be forthcoming and we will be transparent with that information, good or bad. It does appear that there is reason for concern, but not for panic.”

U of L Health’s chief medical officer, Dr. Jason Smith, mentioned his three most important questions about omicron are about “its transmissibility, its severity and its response to our immune system.”

“Any of those could cause another wave,” he mentioned. “I mean, if you think about it, if suddenly it became much more serious, that’s something we’ve got to deal with across the board.”

More: Omicron circumstances present in Canada, UK; consultants warn new variant might be in US undetected: Latest COVID updates

Still, he mentioned, “I’m not sure it’s any more concerning than many of the other variants we’ve dealt with, at least now. The biggest concern is the number of mutations to this particular variant. And I think that is the unknown factor that is always going to be a concern when we’re dealing with variants of any types.”

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Dr. Jason Smith, a trauma surgeon at the University of Louisville Hospital, can be the chief medical officer. Oct. 21, 2020

And regardless of the current COVID-19 spike in the state, Smith mentioned of omicron, “I’m doubtful it’s in our area yet.” We’re extra more likely to see it hit coastal states first, he mentioned, earlier than Kentucky.

More: COVID-19 circumstances once more on the rise in Kentucky. Are we seeing the begin of a winter surge?

Since the variant was simply detected on Wednesday, Smith mentioned, he is uncertain if the metropolis and U of L’s wastewater testing program has the capability to display screen for it but. (The University of Louisville’s Co-Immunity Project, part of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute that is monitoring COVID-19, has been capable of detect variants early all through the pandemic by testing sewage).

The Washington Post reported Sunday that labs ought to have the ability to detect the variant swiftly. Hester mentioned he believes Norton’s assessments will have the ability to detect the variant.

Dr. Steve Hester is seen in a display screen seize from a video name with reporters. Nov. 29, 2021

For now, Hester mentioned, folks ought to wash their palms, put on masks, bodily distance when acceptable, get vaccinated and get booster pictures.

“Everybody wants to spend time with family and it’s so important in terms of just our mental health,” Hester mentioned. “I think we’re going to learn a lot in the next couple of weeks about the transmissibility of this new variant and the … potential severity of it. So, I think it’s going to … give us some information prior to those holidays.”

More: What to know about omicron, the new COVID-19 variant in South Africa

Reach well being reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd@courier-journal.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ladd_sarah.

This article initially appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville doctors watching new omicron COVID-19 variant



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