WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)- The CDC said Wednesday that the B-117 COVID-19 variant, originally discovered in the United Kingdom, is now the dominant COVID-19 strain in the US.
Winona County Public Health Supervisor Melanie Tatge says Minnesota is on a trajectory that is similar to the early stages of the case surge that happened late last year. That surge led to high daily death totals and strained hospital capacity.
“If we can remain resilient and do our best to get tested if we have any kinds of symptoms, receive the vaccine when it’s available to you and adhere to those COVID-19 precautions we may help curb the potential surge,” Tatge said.
Most of the deaths from the late-year surge were people over the age of 65. As of Monday, 83% of Winona County residents in that age group have gotten their vaccine.
“Ensuring that the vulnerable population has been taken care of as far as the vaccine goes certainly helps,” said Winona Health President/CEO Rachelle Schultz. “It is certainly a great protector for them or for anybody really.”
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