Florida Faces New Covid Variant, and It's Not a Surprise to Us

On the rare occasions I venture into public spaces these days—like grocery stores or pharmacies—I often find myself among a small group of mask wearers. Those without masks either deliberately ignore me or look at me as if I’ve just sprouted an extra head. The few who do wear masks share a knowing nod of solidarity, recognizing our mutual concern for public health and the importance of scientific evidence. Thankfully, I’m not alone in this.

However, such encounters are becoming increasingly rare in Florida, where mask mandates seem to have largely been forgotten. Crowds gather for events and parties as hospitals struggle to manage the surge of COVID-19 patients, even setting up tents outside to handle the overflow. Advent Health, one of Central Florida’s major hospital systems, has declared “code black,” signaling that all elective procedures are being postponed due to the influx of patients. And this trend is being echoed across multiple hospitals.

Last week, a local school board meeting attracted a large group of anti-mask advocates. Tensions escalated to the point where police had to escort members out for a recess. Upon returning, several individuals took the microphone to voice their opposition to mask mandates, with claims ranging from COVID-19 being fictitious to accusations of child abuse for masking minors. One woman, adorned with an American flag cap and lacking children in the school system, attempted to quote the Constitution, mistakenly citing the Declaration of Independence instead. Welcome to Florida.

Introducing the New Covid Variant: B.1.621

Given this backdrop, it’s no surprise that Florida is now grappling with a new COVID-19 strain. Originating in Colombia, this variant has increasingly been identified in South Florida. Carlos Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System, reported that this new variant constitutes about 10% of incoming COVID-19 patients.

While the Delta variant continues to dominate and fill hospital beds, this new strain—currently referred to as B.1.621—raises alarms. Each mutation of the virus brings the possibility that vaccines may become less effective, making it crucial to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent severe illness and ease the burden on hospitals.

First detected in January, this variant has also made its way to the United Kingdom, with all cases traced back to international travel. Fortunately, the UK has indicated that this new variant does not appear to cause more severe illness and is not more resistant to existing vaccines, though ongoing monitoring is essential. The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention has classified this variant as “of interest,” pending further data.

Concentrated Impact in Florida

As of mid-July, this new variant was responsible for just over 2.1% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S., according to Professor John Sellick from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo. However, in South Florida, B.1.621 accounts for approximately 10% of cases.

Sellick pointed out that the significance of this variant will depend on its selective advantage, akin to what was observed with the Delta variant, which skyrocketed from 10% to over 80% of cases in just a month. Thus, the current 10% figure in South Florida is concerning—it indicates that the variant is becoming established.

The Need for Vaccination and Social Precautions

Preeti Malani, chief health officer and a professor of medicine at the University of Michigan, emphasized the rapid spread of variants, especially among unvaccinated individuals. Large gatherings can facilitate quick transmission, as attendees return to their homes, potentially sparking new outbreaks.

What’s even more troubling than the emergence of this new variant is the apparent apathy among many Floridians regarding the rising number of infections and fatalities. Anti-vaccine sentiments and COVID-19 denialism often overshadow the long-term health consequences associated with severe infections. Recovery is not as simple as bouncing back from a cold, and it’s alarming that so many refuse to acknowledge this reality. They seem to genuinely believe that the risks of wearing masks or getting vaccinated are greater than those posed by COVID-19 itself.

While I worry about new variants, I’m even more concerned about the pervasive ignorance surrounding this crisis, particularly in Florida.

For more information on home insemination and related topics, check out this previous blog post, or visit Make A Mom for an authoritative guide on home insemination and pregnancy resources such as March of Dimes.

Search Queries:

Summary:

Florida is experiencing a rise in a new COVID-19 variant, B.1.621, which has become a significant concern as it accounts for about 10% of cases in South Florida. This strain has been linked to international travel and has caused alarm due to ongoing mutations that may affect vaccine efficacy. Despite the alarming situation, many Floridians remain apathetic towards public health measures like vaccination and mask-wearing, raising concerns about the long-term effects of COVID-19.