“Kraken” unleashed on campus

BY SHANNON BARBIN SM2 STAFF

The newest Covid subvariant of the Omicron strain XXB.1.5, informally nicknamed “Kraken,” has scientists and health professionals scratching their heads.

Unlike with past strains of covid, Kraken shows signs of immunity escape.

Kraken is also highly contagious and health professionals believe that the virus seeks out antibodies weaking the immune system.

“That means it has the ability to evade natural immunity or previous protection provided by vaccines and re-infect people who have recovered from an earlier bout of COVID,” said Kayla Johnson coordinator of Healthcare Marketing and Administrative Communications at the USM Moffitt Health Center.

The same protocol for past variants remains the same for the Kraken. Wear masks in close quarters, wash your hands frequently, get vaccinated and stay home when feeling sick.

The vaccine just like in the past does not prevent one from getting Covid. However, it does tend to lessen the symptoms and decrease hospitalization.

The USM Moffitt Health Center is still offering resources for Covid, such as testing.

“We are still encouraging prevention actions that those in the campus community can take. We are still offering COVID testing Monday – Friday here at our clinic. We encourage students to wear masks during periods of time when transmission of infection is high in the area. Currently, as Forrest County has moved back into a high community transmission category, Moffitt Health Center is again requiring masks for all patients and staff members until transmission rates decline,” said Johnson.

It is highly recommended that if you or have been in contact with someone possessing Covid like symptoms, to refrain from going into public spaces. Remain at home until your symptoms have passed. If symptoms are worsened, seek medical attention. For more updates, you can visit the Center for Disease Control and Disease at cdc. gov.

The subvariant is named for an enormous mythical multi-tentacled sea monster, like a giant squid or octopus, in Scandinavian lore.

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customers, so hopefully not but I don't know, maybe the tow trucks are going make a lot of money this summer.”

While Davis still recognizes these concerns relating to the park, he seems to be excited for the water park, and commented that the site will “bring a great atmosphere to Hardy.”

“We’re just seven houses down from the waterpark and the zoo. So we’re super excited to have an opportunity in the summer for them to do stuff, get out, enjoy life, enjoy the zoo, enjoy the water park, and just overall enjoy being in community together.” Davis said.

While these concerns remained prevalent among residents in the area, Hattiesburg mayor Toby Barker is doing his best to ease their worries. Barker has remained optimistic of the success of the water park since it was announced in late 2022. Barker believes that the new attraction will bring in a plethora of tourists to Hattiesburg, but is aware of the traffic and parking situation that would come with newcomers to the city.

“What we've done is, you know, we've expanded the parking lot or are expanding the parking lot that comes up Park Avenue by the water billing office. So people won't be able to go on 19th Avenue and then park on the side of the street, you know, among the houses and then come over…They’ll also be able to park in the Hardy Street Baptist church parking lot, which is used already for the zoo,” Barker said.

The project is estimated to cost $10.5 million and is funded by the Hattiesburg Convention Commission from revenues earned and a special 2% restaurant tax, according the mayor’s office. At its completion, Serengeti Springs at the Hattiesburg Zoo is designed to be self-sufficient and profitable

“We're installing a 10-foot sidewalk along Hardy street replacing the old three foot sidewalk that's extremely dangerous,” Barker said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you that everything is going to be great. From day one, I think there’s always some growing pains.”

The 12-acre Hattiesburg Zoo opened in 1950 at Kamper Park, a 40-acre tract of land donated to the city by John Kamper in 1908. Currently the park contains the zoo, tennis courts, a playground and a walking trail.