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Monroe County health department reports low COVID wastewater but monitors new variants; encourages MMR vaccination

5425816 · July 18, 2025

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Summary

Health staff told commissioners July 17 that wastewater COVID levels were low locally but the CDC is tracking two variants; the county also reported zero measles cases and urged residents unsure of MMR status to consult providers and consider vaccination.

Monroe County Health Department staff told the Board of Commissioners on July 17 that local wastewater monitoring showed low COVID-19 concentrations as of July 5, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking two newer variants. Health representative Linea said the county is monitoring variants XFG and MB.1.8.1, also referred to in the meeting as “stratus” and “nimbus,” and that the CDC has linked a national uptick in cases to those variants. “They are believed to be highly transmissible, but do not appear to cause more serious illness than previous variants,” Linea said. The health department also reported no measles cases in Monroe County; a recent measles case was reported in nearby Putnam County. Linea reminded residents that the most effective protection against measles is the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and said the county clinic has MMR available for all ages. The county advised individuals vaccinated between 1962 and 1968, or those unsure of their status, to consult a health care provider about revaccination or titer testing. The county’s public health clinic also continues to offer free COVID tests on weekdays; Linea said free tests are available by walk-in Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and provided a county phone number for appointments and information.