Detecting Covid Variant Spread

Back in the summer of 20-20.

Now, experts say the return to somewhat of a normal life will be gradual -- to help protect against new covid variants as people get vaccinated against the virus.

Here in alabama -- there is less than a month before the current statewide mask mandate expires.

Most of north alabama is under a low risk for transmission.

But, a few counties in our area are in the moderate to high risk category.

Waay 31's luke hajdasz is live at the madison county health department this morning.

Luke, how do we compare now to when things were at their worst in north alabama?

Pat, marie - much, much better.

About two-thirds of alabama is in that green category you were just looking at.

That means that area's had a 14- day downward trend in cases!

Officials here in madison county are optimistic for the future, but also worried about covid variants.

There are things that labs in our state can do now to address the variants, though.

Officials say some labs can sequence the virus to determine if a variant is present in a positive covid case.

If one lab can't, they'll send a sample of any unusual looking sequence to a lab that can test for it.

Some random tests with unusual sequencing patterns are also sent to the c-d-c weekly for variant screening.

The madison county health officer, dr. karen landers, says she thinks the variant is here to stay.

"the variant will likely become the predominant strain, certainly in alabama over the next few months if not before just because of being more transmissible."

Dr. landers said right now the vaccines do protect against the variants and said labs are even covid testing already vaccinated people to see if they've picked up the variant.

Live outside the madison county health department, luke hajdasz, waay 31