Is new COVID variant in NY? No, but hunt is underway. What to know about BA.2.86, Pirola
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Health officials in New York are hunting for a new COVID-19 variant that has raised alarms across the globe as the state braces for the recent uptick in infections to worsen.
The new variant BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, has yet to be discovered in New York, but prior pandemic trends suggest it may soon surface as international travelers pass through the Empire State.
Officials have detected the strain in Israel, Denmark, and South Africa, as well as stateside in Michigan and Virginia. It was designated a Variant Under Monitoring by the World Health Organization and appears to be the most genetically different strain since the original Omicron variant.
These significant changes are important to note as mutations may allow the virus to evade prior immunity, New York health officials noted.
“While the public has returned to normal activities, the Department of Health remains vigilant for changes to the virus that could further threaten our public health,” state Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.
How bad is COVID in NY?
Concerns about heavily mutated strains come as the number of New Yorkers hospitalized for COVID has leaped 64% this month, reaching 1,050 as of Friday, state data show.
COVID cases per 100,000 population have also spiked 70%, with the average rate over seven days hitting 6.3 cases per 100,000 people on Sunday. But these case statistics continue to undercount infections because many cases go unreported.
Health alerts: Flesh-eating bacteria linked to NY death. What it is, and how to avoid it
Wastewater surveillance testing, however, shows moderate to high levels of COVID spreading in many of the population centers statewide.
Some of the highest levels include New York City and communities in and around the cities of Buffalo, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie and Binghamton, as well as parts of Rockland and Westchester counties, data show.
Are new COVID variants more dangerous?
COVID strains currently spreading in New York have posed a risk that remains on par with cold and flu infections, as improved medical treatments and prescription drugs reduce the virus’ threat.
But health officials are racing to study the Pirola strain. New York’s Wadsworth Center Laboratory of Viral Disease Chief Dr. Kirsten St. George added “it is important to note that we do not yet know if it will cause more severe disease or if it will evade prior immunity.”
Is COVID back? COVID summer surge hits NY. How bad is it?
Further, population-level immunity in the U.S. is relatively high, meaning this new strain may not cause a surge like omicron BA.1 initially did in winter 2022, experts said. That winter 2022 surge peaked in New York with 90,000 positive cases in one day, and nearly 13,000 people hospitalized for COVID, data show.
How NY is searching for new COVID variant
The state-run Wadsworth Center enhanced early detection efforts recently by transferring COVID genetic sequence information to Syracuse University, which routinely analyzes wastewater data across the state.
The analysts searched all wastewater data from the last six months to confirm the new strain was not detected in New York, officials said, adding the pool of clinical COVID samples being submitted for analysis is being expanded to improve surveillance.
Should you wear a mask in NY?
As cases rise, some hospitals have reinstated mask mandates for staff and visitors, including UHS hospitals in the Binghamton area and Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse.
State health officials also urged New Yorkers with COVID symptoms to seek testing and treatment, including prescription antiviral pills that can prevent hospitalization and death. All New Yorkers should also stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination and booster doses to prevent risk of severe illness.
Older New Yorkers and those with underlying health conditions or other risk factors such as smoking should also consider taking precautions, including wearing a mask in public.
When will fall COVID booster arrive in NY?
New COVID booster shots are expected to roll out next month, shortly after the Sept. 12 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
At that time, federal regulators will debate which vaccine formulation to recommend.
Previously, regulators said this fall booster should target the XBB.1.5 variant and for the first time not take aim at the original virus. It remains unclear how this formulation would work on the Pirola strain, which is part of the ongoing global effort to study the new variant.
What are the symptoms of Pirola?
Because BA.2.86 is so new, it is not yet known if it will present any unique symptoms. As a result, the CDC said indicators to look out for and advice on protecting yourself remains the same as with existing variants. Some symptoms may include:
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Fatigue
Sneezing
Sore throat
Coughing
Changes to sense of smell
How to get COVID tests, treatment
Health officials noted New Yorkers with COVID-19 symptoms and positive test results should consult health care providers to secure treatment options.
The federal “Test to Treat” program also provides assistance in accessing COVID-19 tests and medications, including a searchable online tool that provides locations of providers. That help can be accessed on the website, aspr.hhs.gov, or via the hotline at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Mary Walrath-Holdridge of USA TODAY contributed to this report
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Is COVID variant Pirola in NY? Why Health Department is hunting for it
