Vaccines targeting the latest variant of the COVID-19 virus, XBB.1.5, have been developed and should be available locally in the next couple of weeks. The Gazette Journal reports Brenden Rivenbark, chief operating officer at the Three Rivers Health District, says a majority of the local cases now being seen are caused by this new strain of the virus. He said the risk of serious illness is less with the current strain, as it has been with each progression of the virus. However, the risk of illness is still present, he said, and vaccination is key to reducing the threat of severe illness from infection.