(Update: Adding video with news briefing, local resident comments)
Other virus variant, of less concern, found in Corvallis, other Oregon cities
CORVALLIS, Ore. (KTVZ) — Genetic sequencing of COVID-19 samples done by Oregon State University’s Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing has detected several variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in samples from around the state, including the highly contagious U.K. strain in one sample from Bend.
The Bend wastewater sample was obtained Dec. 22 and sequencing conducted by OSU revealed the U.K. strain on Jan. 21, the school announced Friday.
Bend is one of several locations throughout the state where OSU’s TRACE Community project conducts wastewater testing, which is funded in part by the Oregon Health Authority.