How will the CDC discover the subsequent main COVID-19 variant? Illustration by Alex Cochran, Deseret Information
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention has a plan to search out new COVID-19 variants.
What occurred: Dr. Jon LaPook, the chief medical correspondent for CBS Information, lately spoke with the CDC on “60 Minutes” in regards to the subsequent COVID-19 variant.
Particulars: LaPook toured the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the place he spoke with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
- Walensky stated: “We wish to have the ability to detect 0.1% of any new variant that comes into this nation with 99% certainty.”
- “No, not proper now. I imply, we’re monitoring issues however there’s nothing that seems to be the subsequent omicron,” a CDC staffer advised LaPook.
Why it issues:
- Abraar Karan, an infectious illness doctor at Stanford College, advised The Guardian that native leaders must be utilizing the present lull interval to arrange for brand spanking new COVID-19 variants.
- “As soon as we have now one other variant, each time which may be, the quantity of unfold from that variant will rely on what sort of preparedness we do now,” he stated. “What are we doing to make faculties, workplaces and public areas extra secure?”