While Arkansas still struggles to put the Delta variant under control, nine Lambada Covid-19 variant cases confirmed

Pine Bluff, Arkansas – While the state of Arkansas is under pressure as a result of the high daily Covid-19 cases and the very contagious Delta variant, Arkansas health officials confirmed nine cases of the Lambada variant believed to be even more infectious that the Delta variant.

The Lambada variant is another proof how quickly the Covid-19 virus mutates and spreads, something that hasn’t been seen before.

“We have enough to be concerned about with the Delta variant,” said Governor Asa Hutchinson.

“The Lambda variant has been identified here in the state. We are tracking to see if we are seeing more isolations of that particular variant. I don’t think we need to be concerned about it at this time,” said Dr. José Romero, Arkansas Secretary of Health.

However, Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, Chief Medical Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health believes that it’s still not proven if the Lambada variant is more contagious than the Delta variant, but everyone should remain aware.

“I suspect there are likely symptoms because the Delta variant is so much more infectious than the Lambda variant. People who get the Delta variant, their viral lobe, respiratory track is about a thousand times higher than the other variants that have previously circulated,” said Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, Chief Medical Officer for the Arkansas Department of Health.

Health experts and officials once again warned everyone that getting vaccinated is the only way to stop the spread of the virus and preventing new mutations in the future.

“The best way to protect against new variants from developing is to suppress the replication. The best way to suppress the replication in the human body is for someone to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Dillaha.

As of now, everyone 12 or older is eligible to get vaccinated. For more information about the Covid-19 in Arkansas, please visit this link.