Ohio health officials confirm case of new COVID-19 strain
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COLUMBUS -- A single case of the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 has been detected in Lorain County, the Ohio Department of Health said Thursday.
"At this point, there is no evidence that this variant is causing any more severe illness, hospitalizations or deaths," Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Department of Health, said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers BA.2.86 a notable variant because it contains a number of mutations that make it distinct from other currently circulating lineages, the department said.
At least 23 other human cases caused by BA.2.86 have been confirmed, including two in the United States in Michigan and Virginia, Vanderhoff said. Cases also have been confirmed in Canada (one), Denmark (10), Israel (one), Portugal (two),the United Kingdom (one), Sweden (four) and South Africa (two).
The Department of Health encourages Ohioans to stay current on COVID-19 vaccinations as the best way to prevent serious illness and to stay home if sick.