INDIANA — According to the Indiana Dept. of Health and the CDC, the new strain of coronavirus has come to Indiana. The state is assessing the situation to see if the variant is circulating through the community. The state is monitoring testing samples. Several other states have also reported the variant, which is thought to have originated in the United Kingdom.
According to the CDC (cdc.gov/coronavirus), multiple mutations of the novel coronavirus are circulating globally. The UK variant emerged with an unusually large number of mutations that seems to spread more easily and quickly than other variants. There is no evidence that the new strain causes more severe illness. The UK variant has lead to tight lockdowns earlier this month. It has also prompted other governments to impose bans on travel to and from the UK.
The COVID-19 vaccine in Indiana is currently available for first responders, health care workers, people in long-term care facilities, and individuals over the age of 80. The vaccines have been shown to be effective in protecting people against the new strain. Vaccines will become available for those 70 and older next. To register for the vaccine (which will consist of two shots, 28 days apart), visit www.ourshot.in.gov or call 211.
In the meantime, it is more important than ever to:
• Maintain social distancing in public
• Wear a mask or face covering when in public — a fit over the nose and mouth, with no gaps on the side
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Use hand sanitizers after touching keypads, door handles, or other surfaces used by many people
• Restrict activities in public to only what is necessary — work, essential shopping, doctor appointments, etc.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, loss of sense of smell or taste, sore throat, nausea or vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms, consult with your health care professional immediately.
As of Monday, Jan. 11, there have been over 567,000 positive cases and over 8,600 deaths from COVID-19 in Indiana.