Bartholomew County health officials have expressed concern that a more contagious coronavirus strain detected in Indiana could lead to an increase in local hospitalizations.
On Monday, state health officials announced that a faster-spreading strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been discovered in Indiana but did not disclose any more details, including how many people had tested positive for the strain or in what parts of the state it had been found.
The strain, which recently prompted a national lockdown in England, is believed to be 50% more contagious than the other virus strains currently circulating in the U.S. and may infect children more easily, but there is no evidence yet that it is more deadly, said Dr. Brian Niedbalski, Bartholomew County health officer.
New strains of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been seen almost since it was first detected in China nearly a year ago, but this particular strain has caused concern because it has several mutations — nearly two dozen — and some are on the spike protein that the virus uses to attach to and infect cells, according to The Associated Press. That spike protein is what the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines target.
However, studies have suggested that at least Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine can protect against the mutations found in the strain, according to wire reports.
Vaccines by Moderna and AstraZeneca are currently undergoing testing and experts anticipate similar results because the vaccines so far are prompting recipients’ bodies to make antibodies against multiple spots on the spike protein, not just one spot.
Other experts have noted that the vaccines also produce wide-ranging responses by the immune system beyond those to the spike protein, according to wire reports.
While scientists do not expect that a single mutation would completely upend efforts to stop the pandemic, they say it is still an important area of study because the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, like all viruses, constantly evolves.
“Since it is more contagious, there is a concern that hospitalizations could possibly increase,” Niedbalski said. “Thankfully, we are more well-versed in appropriate medications that have a better chance of treating serious symptoms. Thankfully, recent studies suggest that vaccines are still effective against the newer strains. Our primary defense against COVID appears to be getting vaccinated, so I encourage everyone to do so when it is available to you.”
Monday’s announcement by state health officials came as 3,726 cases of COVID-19 and 30 deaths were reported in Indiana, including 54 cases in Bartholomew County.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Indiana have declined somewhat since late November but still remain higher than at any time during the spring or summer, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.
On Sunday, there were 2,537 people in Indiana hospitalized with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections, down from 3,401 on Nov. 30 but still considerably higher than the 950 hospitalizations reported on Oct. 3.
Locally, there were 46 people hospitalized with COVID-19 at Columbus Regional Hospital on Sunday, down slightly from 50 the Sunday before, the hospital said.
On Monday morning, there were 39 people hospitalized with COVID-19 at CRH, though that number could change over the day as more patients are admitted and test results come back.
Four of the patients hospitalized on Monday morning were listed in critical condition, the hospital said.
State health officials said Monday that the new strain makes it “more important than ever” for people to wear masks, keep their distance from people they don’t live with, wash their hands and get vaccinated when their turn comes.
“It’s common for viruses to mutate, and we are seeing that occur with COVID-19,” said Indiana State Health Commissioner Kris Box. “Because this strain of the virus can be transmitted more easily, it’s more important than ever that Hoosiers continue to wear their masks, practice social distancing, maintain good hygiene and get vaccinated when they are eligible.”
