Doctor says new COVID-19 variant likely not a cause for concern

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new COVID-19 strain called BA.2.86.

ABC 6 News spoke with the Rhode Island Department of Health and learned about the risks of the new variant and what residents in Rhode Island should do to continue to stay safe.

All viruses, including the virus that causes COVID, change over time. These viruses with changes are called “variants.”

Dr. Philip Chan from RIDOH explained, “There is a new strain pop up here in the U.S., just a couple of cases called BA.2.86. and the good news is this is not the majority of strains.

“This new strain is a little bit more concerning because it has over 30 mutations but we believe it is going to confer immunity against currently used vaccines,” Chan said.

With school less than two weeks away, Chan said he does not think masks will be a necessity.

“COVID is becoming routine. We see it with the vaccines rolling out and we see outbreaks of the flu, RSV, etc. I do expect that we will see periodic outbreaks and surges in COVID, similar to what we see with the flu and RSV in the winter,” he said.

“The decision to mask or not, I do not foresee any mask mandates. I think for settings that do care for people with higher risks, but I don’t see a general masking mandate anytime in the near future unless something drastically changes,” Chan continued.

RIDOH is offering COVID tests to those that need it.

“That is something that is always on the table. We are committed here at RIDOH to ensure, especially those that can’t afford it, have access to testing, vaccines, and treatments,” he said. “We will work to ensure that those populations have access if needed.”

Chan encouraged residents of Rhode Island to keep washing their hands, social distance when necessary, and stay home if you are not feeling well.