As the summer months approach, Tulsa County has been identified as one of the areas with the highest COVID-19 transmission rates in Oklahoma. With more people traveling and gathering indoors, it is crucial to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
Two variants of interest, KP.1 and KP.2, have been detected under the omicron lineage. While symptoms of these variants are similar to those of a common cold or flu, health experts emphasize the importance of washing hands regularly, staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, and staying home if feeling unwell.
According to Ashley Bailey from Tulsa Health Department, KP.1 and KP.2 are similar to other strains of COVID-19 with no mutations indicating increased severity of illness. She reassures the public that prevention methods remain the same regardless of variant or lineage. The Tulsa Health Department has deployed community resource members to educate the public on how best to protect themselves against COVID-19. Bailey advises paying particular attention to younger and older individuals who may be more vulnerable to the virus’s impact. By remaining vigilant and following preventative measures, we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Tulsa County and beyond.
