Richland Center, WI: Richland County Health Officer, Rose Kohout has been notified of the county’s first case of a Coronavirus variant. Variant P.1 was first discovered in travelers from Brazil in January of 2021.
The Centers for Disease Control classifies the P.1 variant as a “variant of concern”. A Variant of Concern is defined as “a variant for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (e.g., increased hospitalizations or deaths), significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures”. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/variant-surveillance/variant-info.html)
With the identification of the P.1 variant in our community, it is very important that everyone continue to follow preventive measures. Wear a mask in public places, socially distance, wash your hands, avoid large gatherings—particularly if they are held indoors, and get the vaccine if you are eligible. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help prevent variants from emerging. Every infection that is prevented means the virus has one less chance to mutate.
Anyone having symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been in contact with someone who has become infected should seek testing. For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, follow Richland County Health & Human Services on Facebook or consult the following websites:
- Richland County: https://covid.co.richland.wi.us
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
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