New year, new COVID-19 variant, new rise in cases.
Austin Public Health on Friday announced that a new omicron subvariant, XBB.1, has now been reported in Travis County, according to a surveillance system that tracks the genomic sequence in COVID-19 tests.
The omicron variant of the virus responsible for COVID-19 has five XBB types of subvariant. While Austin has XBB.1 and not yet officially XBB.1.5, we should be prepared for that variant to arrive.
The XBB.1.5, which has been called the “Kraken” because of its transmissibility, has been seen in other cities in Texas. Although XBB.1.5 has not yet been detected in Austin’s surveillance system or in water samples yet, as it has in other parts of Texas, Austin Public Health believes it will show up in water soon — and signal widespread transmission of the subvariant.
The XBB.1.5 subvariant went from 1% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S. in the beginning of December to 40% by the end of the month, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Currently XBB.1.5 makes up 27.5% of cases in the Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana region.
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How much COVID-19 is in the area?
On Thursday, the CDC moved the COVID-19 transmission levels in Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties from low to medium. Hays and Caldwell counties have been in the high level for two weeks. This follows months of all the area counties being at a low level.
“This new subvariant is making its way into our community right as many people were indoors gathering with others during the cold and over the holidays,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, the Austin-Travis County health authority. “When mixed with a flu infection, the combination can cause serious illness for those at-risk such as children and seniors.”
Because the level of spread has worsened, Austin Public Health is recommending all people wear masks when social distancing is not possible, and people who are at risk for severe complications should wear masks in all public spaces. Caldwell and Hays counties should follow the recommendations for an area with a high level of spread, which is masking in public for everyone.
Austin Public Health already has been requiring masks again in all health facilities since mid-December.
Transmission levels (the number of cases per 100,000 people), are between 122.1 and 187.8, depending on the county, which is up from below 60 during most of last fall.
How many patients are being treated for COVID?
The number of people in the hospitals with COVID-19 also has changed. In Travis, Williamson and Bastrop counties, 3.6% of staffed hospital beds are occupied by people with COVID-19 and there are 10.3 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people. In Hays and Caldwell counties, 10% of the hospital beds are occupied by people with COVID-19, and there are 24.1 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 people.
“It’s important that we do what we know works to minimize spread,” Walkes said. “Got symptoms? Get tested. Stay home if you don’t feel well. Wear a mask if you can’t keep your distance to protect those who are at high risk. Most importantly, get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.”
Since October, the number of available hospital beds has plummeted because of the triple epidemic: COVID-19, flu and respiratory viruses like RSV. Central Texas has had no more than three pediatric intensive care unit beds available since November. Most days there is none. On the adult side, between 12 and 43 ICU beds have been available since November.
“We need to avoid another surge,” said Austin Public Health Director Adrienne Sturrup. “Our hospitals are treating patients with COVID-19, flu and various upper respiratory illnesses right now. If you have already resolved to prioritize your health with a healthier diet, or more physical activity in this new year, add getting vaccinated to your list.”
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What do we know about this XBB subvariant?
Austin Public Health and the CDC want you to know these facts:
- XBB variants have rapidly replaced other subvariants in the U.S. It did the same in Europe earlier.
- The bivalent booster (aka the updated booster) still provides a level of protection and reduce the risk of hospitalization.
- XBB variants are resistant to existing COVID-19 treatments such as monoclonal antibody infusions. This is particularly worrisome for people who are immunocompromised.
- The symptoms of XBB variants are the same as other COVID-19 variants: cough, congestion, exhaustion, fever, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea and headaches.
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Need a vaccine?
Go to Vaccines.gov (Vacunas.gov in Spanish) to find flu and COVID-19 vaccine providers. You can get both the flu and COVID-19 bivalent vaccine at the same time.
Have COVID-19 tests on hand
Free mail-order rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits are available through covid.gov/tests. Households are eligible for another round of four tests for a limited time.
At-home COVID-19 test kits are available at APH Neighborhood Centers while supplies last. The U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services also lists community-based testing sites online.
You also can get free N-95 masks at local pharmacies. Use the CDC’s mask-locator tool to find a location with free masks.
