News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A new COVID Omicron subvarient called Kraken is most likely already in the Upper Cumberland.
Nashville Metro Public Health confirmed its first case last week. Upper Cumberland Medical Society President Dr. Brent Staton said the subvarient is highly contagious but not necessarily more dangerous.
“The likelihood of it not being here is pretty slim considering if you look at the southeast United States about a week ago, the Kraken strain was the second most prevalent strain made of about 30 percent of the cases” Staton said.
Staton said he estimates now that about 50 percent of COVID cases in the southeast region is the Kraken strain. Staton said high-risk populations remain in danger if they contract the virus.
“COVID is still a deadly disease that people can contract,” Staton said. “Our grandparents especially our older populations are at higher risk. You can contract the virus multiple times.”
Staton said local practices have not specifically tested for the strain in our region. However, Staton said data from colleagues in neighboring states point to the virus already crossing over our state.
The Kraken nickname comes from a Canadian biologist who wanted a more practical name for the strain.
