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Arkansas health officials: BA.2 dominant in region, BA.2.12.1 rising; system not stressed
Summary
State health officials told the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee that BA.2 is the dominant Omicron lineage in the region, BA.2.12.1 is increasing, hospital stress is low and treatments and vaccines are available. Secretary Jose Romero urged clinicians to use antivirals and warned misinformation remains a major problem.
Jose Romero, secretary of health and director of the Arkansas Department of Health, told the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee that BA.2 is the variant “currently occupying our attention,” making up 68% nationally and about 87% in Region 6, while BA.2.12.1 is increasing and accounts for roughly 9% in the region.
Romero said case counts are showing "small but consistent increases" but that those increases are not currently putting stress on Arkansas’ healthcare system: hospitalizations and ventilator use remain relatively low. "There is no stress on the healthcare system within our…
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