Tulsa County has recently been identified as one of the highest areas of COVID-19 transmission in the state. As people travel and gather indoors during the summer heat, health experts are reminding residents to take precautions. Among the variants of interest are KP.1 and KP.2, which fall under the omicron lineage. These variants have symptoms similar to those of a common cold or flu.
Epidemiologist Ashley Bailey from the Tulsa Health Department advises that KP.1 and KP.2 variants are similar to other strains of COVID-19, with no specific mutations indicating increased severity of illness. However, she stresses that prevention methods remain the same regardless of the variant or lineage. The Tulsa Health Department is educating community members on best practices for protection, including staying informed, practicing good hygiene, and taking necessary precautions to prevent COVID-19 transmission.
Bailey recommends paying extra attention to younger and older individuals, who tend to be more impacted by the virus. It’s important for everyone to do their part in protecting themselves and others from COVID-19 transmission by following guidelines and taking necessary precautions.
In summary, Tulsa County is experiencing high levels of COVID-19 transmission due to increased travel and gathering indoors during summer heat. Variants such as KP.1 and KP.2 fall under the omicron lineage and have symptoms similar to those of a common cold or flu