U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez

The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) detected its first case of the XBB.1.5 coronavirus subvariant.

The Omicron subvariant has a high growth rate and is quickly spreading throughout the country. 

 The Associated Press reported that it is the most prevalent mutant in the U.S., responsible for 41% of current cases. It attaches more tightly than its competitors to a receptor that allows viruses to enter a cell.

The emergence of a new variant is expected to put more stress on the hospital system, which is already facing challenges with increased hospitalizations due to COVID-19, RSV and the flu.

Earlier this week, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors proclaimed an emergency of limited hospital bed capacity. 

The FCDPH advises the community to take the necessary measures to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

“As schools get ready to resume and individuals return to work from the holiday break, it will be important to use layers of protection. This includes getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, masking in high-risk public indoor settings, and testing at home or visiting Optum serve sites. High risk individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should contact their doctor or visit a test-to-treat site immediately to seek treatment (with free telemedicine services using Sesame Care through the California Department of Public Health),” says Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County Interim Health Officer.

Many symptoms of COVID-19 resemble those of a cold, flu and allergies. Anyone experiencing congestion or a runny nose, sore throat, fever or chills, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea should be tested for COVID-19.

Residents can visit test-to-treat centers, which is where individuals are provided with both testing and treatment services for COVID-19.

Oral treatments have been found to be effective against the virus, including Omicron variants, and are beneficial to high-risk individuals, according to a news release. The oral antivirals should be taken within the first five days COVID-19 symptoms appear in order for the treatments to work best. For more information visit www.fcdph.org/testtotreat. 

The FCDPH would like to remind the community that the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 booster is available to residents, and it is still considered protective against circulating variants, according to the release. For vaccine events and locations visit www.fcdph.org/covid19vax.