News

‘Mu’ COVID-19 Variant Now Found In 49 U.S. States

A new COVID-19 variant has been found in 49 U.S. states. The variant has also been found in four dozen other countries.

Known as the “mu” variant, this strain of the disease could potentially be more transmissible than the delta variant and could be vaccine-resistant, according to health officials.

Almost four hundred mu cases were detected in California, making it the state with the highest number of this latest variant, and 167 of those cases were in L.A. county.

“The identification of variants like mu, and the spreading of variants across the globe, highlights the need for L.A. County residents to continue to take measures to protect themselves and others,” Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of L.A. County Public Health, said in a statement. “This is what makes getting vaccinated and layering protections so important. These are actions that break the chain of transmission and limits COVID-19 proliferation that allows for the virus to mutate into something that could be more dangerous.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

The World Health Organization named the mu variant a variant of interest on August 30, stating that this strain seems to be more transmissible than any other COVID-19 variant.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the mu variant is “not at all even close” to becoming the dominant COVID-19 strain in the U.S., adding that health officials are, nonetheless, keeping a “close eye” on it.

“Even though it has not in essence taken hold to any extent here we always pay attention to at all times variants,” Fauci stated.

Elizabeth Letsou

Recent Posts

Supreme Court Seems Receptive To Laws That Allow Restrictions On Homeless

On Monday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over a challenge to a law allowing…

20 hours ago

Arizona Republicans Block Bill To Repeal Abortion Ban On State House Floor

The Arizona House of Representatives failed to advance a repeal of the state's 160-year-old abortion…

2 days ago

After Oregon Recriminalizes Drug Possession, What’s Next For The State’s Drug Policy

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) signed a bill restoring criminal charges in cases of hard drug possession.…

6 days ago

Biden’s New Regulation Will Limit Toxic Chemicals In Drinking Water Across The Country

President Joe Biden's administration announced the first-ever national limits on toxic "forever chemicals" in drinking water. This…

7 days ago

Senate Dismisses Impeachment Charges Against Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas

On Wednesday, the Senate dismissed the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. House…

7 days ago

Biden Achieves Highest Approval Rating Since November

A new poll marked a four-point increase in approval rating for President Joe Biden, his highest since…

1 week ago