UNLV researchers: Omicron variant takes command in Southern Nevada

UNLV researchers foretell that astir quality cases of COVID-19 successful Southern Nevada for astatine slightest the adjacent 3 weeks volition beryllium caused by the much contagious but seemingly milder omicron variant.

The researchers foretell that 8 oregon 9 of each 10 caller cases volition beryllium omicron based connected a familial investigation of section discarded water, said Edwin Oh, an subordinate prof of neurogenetics astatine UNLV.

Oh said that helium and workfellow Dan Gerrity are seeing the highest levels to day of the microorganism successful Las Vegas Valley wastewater. The researchers analyse levels of the virus, which passes done the assemblage and appears successful sewage.

Their investigation comes arsenic COVID-19 cases are soaring locally arsenic good arsenic crossed the state and astir the globe.

Ongoing probe volition amusement whether strains mutating from delta, which has been the ascendant variant oregon strain and is associated with much superior illness, volition vanish arsenic omicron becomes much prevalent.

It volition besides assistance successful knowing however the microorganism continues to mutate, Oh said.

“A question moving guardant is however volition omicron mutate, and wastewater surveillance volition assistance america find this answer,” Oh said successful an email.

This is simply a processing story. Check backmost for updates.

Contact Mary Hynes astatine mhynes@reviewjournal.com oregon 702-383-0336. Follow @MaryHynes1 connected Twitter.