JACKSON, Wyo. — B.4 and B.5, the new sub-variants of Omicron, now account for 80% of new COVID cases in the Rocky Mountain Region, according to CDC estimates from July 9.
With an uptick in cases in Teton County, the health department maintains the same recommendations for the community as it has with all other COVID variants.
“Realistically no matter the variant, our recommendations are always the same,” said Rachael Wheeler, public health response coordinator at Teton County Health Department.
“Be up to date on your COVID vaccine, and wear a mask in public indoor areas when community transmission is high.”
Teton County continues to hover between medium and high community transmission levels. Currently, the county is in High.
Over the last week, Teton County had 116 new reported cases (494.4 for every 100,000 residents). The positive test rate is 19.6%. Reported cases do not include all at-home positive tests. Over the last week, the county has averaged 17 new confirmed cases per day.
Experts say that the B.4 and B.5 variants may present themselves differently in comparison to earlier versions of Omicron. Individuals infected may experience a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, headaches and muscle pains.
However, those infected are less likely to lose their senses of taste and smell, or to experience shortness of breath, as compared with those infected with Delta or other variants of the coronavirus.
Teton County is one of the most vaccinated counties in the country, with 25,354 people (95 %) having received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 21,990 (93.7%) have received at least two doses or a single Johnson & Johnson dose, and 10,723 (45.7%) have received a booster shot.
