Variant strains of COVID-19 are starting to appear more frequently across the United States.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says testing is the best way to determine any mutation trend. She points out the different variants could impact someone who has never contracted COVID-19 or someone who has had the original strain. If someone is tested for the virus, medical providers can submit that test to the state hygienic lab for sequencing to find out if it is one of the variants. Wolf notes the results of which helps the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

“Where are we seeing these mutations and specifically what type of mutation is it, like it is the B.1111, is it out of Brazil or some other place.”

Wolf points out no matter what is determined for someone, the process to treat it remains the same.

“Because we’re just trying to look for the trends right now. It’s not going to change anything as far as the course of treatment, whether you have a mutation or the plain, original COVID virus. But it does help us to see what kind of activity we’ve got going on.”

Wolf reminds everyone to continue the mitigation strategies against COVID-19 and follow the CDC and IDPH guidance if you have to quarantine or isolate yourself if you are exposed or test positive for the virus.