Meredith: More need vaccinations due to mutations

Person’s health prior to infection plays role in outcome of illness

The Covid-19 pandemic continues as more variants of the virus become prevalent.

Scientists monitor all variants and classify ones in different categories of monitored, interest, concern and consequence. The classifications are based on how easily the variant spreads, how severe the symptoms are, how the variant responds to treatments and how well vaccines protect against the variant.

The most recent Covid variant of concern has been omicron. The CDC is estimating that 90% of current Covid cases are omicron.

"You have to sequence the genome of the virus," explained Dr. James T. Meredith, St. Francis County's Health Officer, of the science involved in determining infection rates of variants.

Meredith said there are only a handful of centers with the capability in Arkansas, including UAMS, and it's extrapolated from there based on their studies.

"If you take a test at my office and it is positive, I am assuming it is omicron, because most likely it is,” said Meredith. "But, the CDC is saying that at least 90% or more is omicron."

Meredith said variants are to be expected due to the nature of viruses.

"Viruses always mutate," he explained. "All viruses do that and usually mutate towards being able to survive longer or reproduce more, and that's the scary thing. I still think we need more people getting vaccinated."

"You see the same behavior with the flu virus as well," added Meredith.

The CDC reports omicron spreads more easily than other variants and that breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected.

"It is much more contagious," agreed Meredith.

Meredith stresses that those who have not been vaccinated against the viruses to do so.

"I have seen breakthrough cases with people who have been vaccinated and boosted," said Meredith. "They have not been very ill, but they have been sick and if they are sick, they can spread it to other folks."

Meredith notes that although the mortality rate with the omicron variant may be lower, it really depends on the health of the person before they are infected.

"We have some with a wide variety of symptoms and some who are hardly sick," he explained. “It seems to be less deadly, but people are still dying."

With the recent release of athome tests from the state through local entities such as the Forrest City Public Library, St. Francis County Health Unit and even city hall, Meredith said that while useful, the distribution of such tests can also be wasteful.

"The problem I've already run into is the person might have a positive at-home test, but their employer is also wanting them to have a test from a physician or a laboratory to confirm that," said Meredith. "Unfortunately, I think that is kind of wasteful."

Meredith said that "while not perfect,” the at-home rapid antigen tests are fairly accurate.

"They are better than nothing. I will say I do not see any false positive antigen tests," said Meredith. "I have seen some false negatives occasionally but not real often. If you have a positive antigen test, it is fairly certain you have Covid. If you have negative one, it is pretty likely you don't have it.”

As always, Meredith recommends those with symptoms to check in with their

(Continued from Page 1) primary care physician or to visit a hospital for PCR testing if they have been exposed to Covid and develop symptoms.

"It is much more accurate," said Meredith. "It takes two or three days to get back, though."

Meredith said it is "critical" residents wear their masks to help slow the spread of the virus, and to prevent further mutations that cause the variants.

"If you can get your hands on an N95 mask that's the best, but any mask is better than no mask at all," he said.

Local health departments and libraries began receiving rapid at-home Covid tests last week to distribute to members of the community, which were depleted within hours of the tests being received. That program through the Arkansas Department of Health is also continuing as supplies become available.

On Monday, the ADH added 37 positive cases to St. Francis County’s total of 6,165 since the pandemic began. Recoveries on Monday were up by 77, with the number of tests increasing by 60.

The CDC report today shows the county has 457 active cases.