Department of Health:State Laboratory Finds New VariantDOH’s State Laboratories Division (SLD) confirms the presence of a new COVID variant in Hawai‘i.
The P.2 variant, which contains the E484K mutation, was identified through surveillance testing conducted on O‘ahu. While the implications of this additional strain are unknown at this time, the P.2 variant is closely watched because two individuals in Brazil who were previously infected with COVID were reinfected with the P.2 variant.
It is unclear whether this variant is more resistant to vaccines and antibodies gained through previous COVID infection.“New case counts are down from a month ago, but these variants remind us to remain vigilant,” said State Health Director Dr.