New omicron COVID variants arrive in Shasta County

New variants of the omicron coronavirus are now in Shasta County, the Health and Human Services Agency said Wednesday.

Like their parent strain, these variants of the virus are more easily spread than other COVID variants, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New variants were first detected in May (BA.2.12.1) and June (BA.4 and BA.5), Public Health's Community Education Specialist Amy Koslosky said.

BA.4 and BA.5 are the most contagious COVID strains found so far, according to the Yale University's School of Medicine. As of early July, BA.5 is "causing more than 50% of (COVID) cases, making it the predominant strain in the United States. BA.4 accounts for about 20% of all U.S. COVID cases."

BA.5 is among the three most common variants in Shasta County, Koslosky said. The other two are also omicron strains: BA.2 and BA.2.12.1.

It's important to remember strains may move faster than lab results, she said.

"It takes a considerable amount time for results of a whole genome sequence to become available," Koslosky said. State labs need time to analyze samples sent to them by Public Health.

Omicron strains of COVID are what the CDC calls "variants of concern." These strains are often more transmissible than other strains, including omicron. They may also kill more patients and put more people in the hospital, be more resistant to treatments and vaccines, and may be harder to detect with COVID tests, the CDC said.

Antibodies built up in people who already had COVID may have a tougher time killing these strains, the CDC said.

"As long as COVID-19 spreads, mutations and new variants are expected to occur," Public Health said. "The best way to prevent the spread of COVID — including its variants — is to get vaccinated and boosted. Being vaccinated decreases the likelihood you will get sick and makes it less likely you will need hospitalization or die if you get infected."

For more information, where to get tested and where to get vaccinated or a booster shot, go to the Shasta County COVID website at co.shasta.ca.us/ready/covid-19/overview.

Public Health first tracked the omicron strain in Shasta County on Dec. 16, 2021. It's likely responsible for a spike in outbreak in January and February 2022. Like the variants it birthed, the original omicron strain is more contagious than most other strains of COVID, but is less deadly than the delta strain that hit the North State in late summer into early autumn in 2021.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and entertainment stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: New omicron COVID-19 variants arrive in Shasta County