Lacen (Central Public Health Laboratory) of the State Department of Health of Mato Grosso identified a new subvariant of Covid in the state, JN 2.5.
According to the Health Ministry, this is the first record of the new strain, a variation of Omicron, in Brazil.
For the investigation carried out between January 16 and 18, 15 Covidpositive samples were selected and sequenced in the municipalities of Cuiabá (8) and Várzea Grande (7). Four women tested positive for the subvariant.
Three were hospitalized and placed in home isolation after medical discharge. The other had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and died. The death remains under investigation by local epidemiological surveillance.
“There is no need to create panic, but we must always be alert for flulike symptoms. We recommend wearing a mask if you have the flu or cold, in addition to washing your hands with soap and/or cleaning with 70% alcohol.” “It is important to look for the nearest health unit so that the doctor can determine the best treatment for the condition can. Vaccination against the coronavirus is also essential. Only vaccination is effective in preventing the disease,” emphasizes the head of health surveillance, Alessandra Moraes, in a note.
In addition to Brazil, JN 2.5 has already been identified in Canada, France, Poland, Spain, the United States, Sweden and the United Kingdom.