© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

ODH director confirms new COVID-19 variant detected in Ohio

An illustration created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the structure of the coronavirus now named COVID-19.
Science Source
An illustration created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the structure of the coronavirus now named COVID-19.

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff confirmed Thursday that the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 has been detected in one case in Lorain County.

The Centers for Disease Control considers it a notable variant, because it contains a number of mutations that make it distinct from other currently circulating lineages.

There have been 23 other human cases caused by BA.2.86, including one each in Michigan and Virginia.

Dr. Vanderhoff says there's no evidence that this variant causes any more severe illness, hospitalizations or deaths.

Debbie Holmes has worked at WOSU News since 2009. She has hosted All Things Considered, since May 2021. Prior to that she was the host of Morning Edition and a reporter.