As subvariants of the Omicron coronavirus variant continue to circulate around the world, the virus will continue to pick up mutations along the way.  Since the Omicron variant was identified at the end of November 2021, there have been several subvariants but no major evolutions in the virus that have been able to evade the protections of our current vaccinations.  After rapid easing of restrictions in China, after years of strict and total lockdowns and thus limited natural immunity, the Covid-19 virus once again has another chance to evolve. 

Any major surge of causes can produce new subvariants that have the potential to escape the defenses of our existing vaccines.  Scientists have been monitoring a rise in several Omicron subvariants. Cases resulting from variant XBB.1.5 has risen from about 4% to 41% of new infections over the month of December.  Many medical experts say that XBB.1.5 has the potential to escape the protections of vaccinations and antibodies developed from past infections.  Nicknamed the “Kraken” by Canadian biology professor Dr. Ryan Gregory, the kraken is a legendary sea monster from Norway described in fiction as a giant squid or octopus-like creation that dragged ships down to the bottom of the ocean. The best protection against development of new variants is to keep your covid vaccinations current (boosted within the last 6 months). It is still unclear how large this next wave will be or maybe the largest waves have passed. 

As we continue in our new reality where covid continues to not be uncommon, we must still come to the terms with the loss incurred in the last three years.  UAMS reported in a news release dated January 4, 2023 that one in four adults experienced the death of a family member or close friend due to COVID-19.  This loss also involves prolonged grief which correlates with higher rates of depression.  The lead researcher on the study, COVID-19 Death Exposure Among Adults in the United States, Don E. Willis, assistant professor in the Office of Community Health & Research, highlighted how unequal death exposure contributes to ongoing racial health disparities.  “People who have suffered loss during the pandemic may still be suffering.“The impact of the pandemic does not end at the point of death, but ripples out across social networks. Even if the last COVID-19 death were to occur tomorrow, the staggering loss of life from the pandemic will likely be impacting the lives and health of the bereaved for many years to come.”

According to the World Health Organization, there have been more than 1 million deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States. Of the nearly 12,700 Arkansans who have died from the virus, 72% of Arkansans who died of COVID-19 since February 2021 were not fully vaccinated.  At this point, full vaccination will mean being boosted against the most recent variants.  Bivalent booster shots, approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for both Pfizer and Moderna, target new Omicron variants of the coronavirus. The Pfizer booster is authorized for ages 5 and up, and the Moderna booster is authorized for ages 6 and up.  You can get the latest COVID booster from your primary care physicion or any community health clinic or mobile health event in your area. 

For more information or to view the schedule of upcoming mobile health events in Arkansas, visit nwa.uams.edu/covid.  In Iowa, the Dubuque Visiting Nurses Association continues to hold open walk-in clinics for vaccinations every Friday, 8am-4:30pm.  There are also evening clinic hours on Mondays once a month, visit cityofdubuque.org/2965/COVID-19-Vaccinations for their schedule.  You can also schedule an appointment with any several community health centers, pharmacies or clinics in your area.