The US has once again hit a record high for coronavirus deaths. More than 4,300 Americans died of the virus on Tuesday. While the pace of vaccinations is accelerating, with nearly 1 million shots delivered Tuesday, a potential new strain of coronavirus has emerged in Ohio.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered a new variant that carries a mutation identical to the strain found in the UK, but which was likely already present in the US. dangerous species from the UK has been detected in 11 states.
Researchers said they also found another American strain with three other gene mutations that had not been seen before. The species with three new mutations has been more prominent in Columbus in recent weeks, they said.
“Like the British strain, the mutations in the Columbus strain are likely to make the virus more contagious, making it easier for the virus to pass from person to person,” the university said in a press release Wednesday.
Peter Mohler, a co-author of the study, said there is no evidence showing that the coronavirus vaccines will be any less effective against the new mutations.
“At this time, we have no data to believe that these mutations will have any impact on the effectiveness of vaccines currently in use,” Mohler said.
Arizona leads the nation in COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions per capita. The home of the Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, is now a massive vaccination site for health workers, first responders, teachers, and daycare workers.
The Arizona Department of Health Services is willing to provide at least 600 photos a day, and the stadium will be open around the clock for the next two months.
The race to get vaccinated is getting added urgency, as California has more than 30,000 deaths from the coronavirus.
“In my 34 years, I never thought I would see something like this,” said Ken McKenzie, who runs a funeral home in Southern California. Last year this time “there would probably be two or three people I would take care of,” he said. “Right now, there are probably 40 or 50 embalmed bodies here with families awaiting closure.”