COVID-19 variants present in Imperial County
Imperial County Public Health Department reports 90 cases of the Gamma variant - News 11's Wiley Jawhary takes a closer look at how to protect yourself from new strains
IMPERIAL, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Imperial County Public Health Department says there are currently two COVID-19 Delta variants in the Valley. But right now, local health leaders are more concerned with the Gamma and Alpha variants.
There are currently 90 cases of the Gamma variant and 68 cases of the Alpha variant in Imperial County. The number of Delta variant cases remains low at this time, but there is still concern.
“Alpha is associated with increased transmission and likely with increased severity in increased of death, Beta is increased transmission and decreased response to antibody treatment,” said Imperial County Public Health Director Jannette Angulo.
Local health experts say they will continue tracking new cases. News 11's Wiley Jawhary talks to local health officials on how these variants may effect the Valley beginning at 5 p.m. on the Early Edition.
“If you can get vaccinated, then you don’t become an incubation for variants, because the virus gets inside of you and they start to mutate, and that’s where we get all these variants from,” Dr. Adolphe Edward Chief Executive Officer of El Centro Regional Medical Center said.
Public health experts say that the Alpha variant. with 68 active cases in Imperial County comes with severe conditions.
“The Alpha variant is associated with increased transmission and increased severity and risk of death. It also has minimal impact on antibodies," Angulo said.
Angulo also says that the Gamma variant shows a moderately decreased response to some antibody treatment. Reports indicate that a high percent of those with variants have not been vaccinated.
Only local health departments will know if someone has tested positive for on of these variants. Meanwhile health experts stress getting the vaccine to help prevent more mutations from happening. ECRMC says it remains prepared in case of another spike.
