New omicron variant of COVID-19 in Central Texas; Austin Public Health recommends wearing a mask again

New year, new variant of COVID-19, new increase in incidence.

Austin Public Health announced Friday that a new omicron subvariant, XBB.1, has now been registered in Travis County, according to a surveillance system that tracks genome sequencing in COVID-19 tests.

The omicron variant of the virus responsible for COVID-19 has five subtypes of the XBB type. While Austin has XBB.1 and not officially XBB.1.5 yet, we should be ready for that variant to arrive.

XBB.1.5, dubbed “Kraken” due to its ability to transmit, has been spotted in other Texas cities. Although XBB.1.5 has not yet been detected in the Austin surveillance system or in water samples as it has been in other parts of Texas, Austin Public Health believes it will soon appear in the water and signal widespread transmission of the subvariant.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the XBB.1.5 sub-variant rose from 1% of all COVID-19 cases in the US in early December to 40% by the end of the month. XBB.1.5 currently accounts for 27.5% of cases in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

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How much COVID-19 is in the area?

On Thursday, the CDC upgraded the transmission rate of COVID-19 in Travis, Williamson, and Bastrop counties from low to medium. Hayes and Caldwell counties have been at a high level for two weeks now. This follows months when all counties were low.

“This new sub-option is making its way into our community as many people have been gathering indoors with others during times of cold and holidays,” said Dr. Desmar Wakes, Austin-Travis County Health Supervisor. “When mixed with an influenza infection, this combination can cause serious illness in individuals at risk, such as children and the elderly.”

As the rate of spread has worsened, the Austin Public Health Authority is recommending that all people wear masks when social distancing is not possible, and that people at risk of serious complications should wear masks in all public places. Caldwell and Hayes counties must follow the guidelines for the high prevalence area, which means masking in public places for everyone.

Austin Public Health has already again required masks in all healthcare facilities since mid-December.

Transmission rates (number of cases per 100,000 people) range from 122.1 to 187.8, depending on the county, above 60 for most of last fall.

How many patients are being treated for COVID?

The number of people in hospitals with COVID-19 has also changed. In Travis, Williamson, and Bastrop counties, 3.6% of full hospital beds are occupied by people with COVID-19, and there are 10.3 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 people. In Hayes and Caldwell counties, 10% of hospital beds are occupied by people with COVID-19, and there are 24.1 new COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100,000 people.

“It’s important that we do what we know works to minimize spread,” Walks said. “Any symptoms? Take the test. Stay at home if you are not feeling well. Wear a mask if you cannot keep your distance to protect those at high risk. .”

Since October, the number of available hospital beds has dropped sharply due to the triple epidemic of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory viruses such as RSV. In Central Texas, no more than three pediatric intensive care beds have been available since November. Most days it’s not there. For adults, between 12 and 43 intensive care unit beds have been available since November.

“We need to avoid another surge,” Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup said. “Our hospitals are currently treating patients with COVID-19, influenza and various upper respiratory diseases. If you’ve already made up your mind to eat a healthier diet or increase your physical activity in the new year, add vaccinations to your list. “

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What do we know about this sub-variant of XBB?

Austin Public Health and the CDC want you to know the following facts:

XBB variants quickly supplanted other sub-variants in the US. The same thing happened earlier in Europe.
The bivalent booster (aka the upgraded booster) still provides a level of protection and reduces the risk of hospitalization.
XBB variants are resistant to existing treatments for COVID-19, such as monoclonal antibody infusions. This is especially true for people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of XBB variants are the same as other COVID-19 variants: cough, nasal congestion, exhaustion, fever, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.

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Need a vaccine?

Go to Vaccines.gov (Vacunas.gov in Spanish) to find flu and COVID-19 vaccine providers. You can get the bivalent flu and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.

Have COVID-19 tests on hand

Free rapid COVID-19 antigen tests can be ordered by mail at covid.gov/tests. Households are eligible for another round of four tests for a limited time.

Home COVID-19 testing kits are available at APH Community Centers while supplies last. The US Department of Health and Human Services also hosts online listings of community-based testing sites.