Monroe County health update: COVID wastewater concentrations declining, new variants circulating

Monroe County public health staff reported on Oct. 2 that COVID wastewater concentrations are trending down but remain a bit higher than earlier this summer. Staff said circulating COVID variants include XFB (referred to in the presentation as Stratus) and NB.1.80.1 (referred to as Nimbus). Common symptoms listed by the health department included headache, cough, severe throat pain and congestion.

Public health staff also said statewide influenza activity is minimal and reiterated the CDC recommendation for annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. County public health clinic vaccines are available to all ages and appointments were provided by phone at (812) 353-3244.

Commissioners thanked staff for the update; no formal action was taken and there was no public comment on this briefing during the Oct. 2 meeting.