A nursing home in Eastern Kentucky is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak that may be tied to a new coronavirus variant, reports Fox affiliate WXIX.
The facility has reported 41 total COVID-19 cases, with 14 staff and 27 residents infected. According to Public Health Commissioner Steven Stack, MD, some of the cases are an unknown variant, with more common variants ruled out, such as the U.K. variant B.1.1.7, South Africa variant B.1.351 and Japan/Brazil variant P.1.
Dr. Stack said more genetic sequencing is required to draw any further conclusions.
"Vaccinations appear to have markedly reduced symptomatic disease," Dr. Stack added.