Colorado Confirms First Case of Coronavirus New Variant in the U.S.
Colorado governor Jared Polis speaks to the media regarding the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch during a press conference at the Douglas County Sheriffs Office Highlands Ranch Substation on May 8, 2019 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. One student was killed and eight others were injured in the shooting. Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

Colorado state officials have confirmed the first known case of the coronavirus new variant in the United States.

The said new variant has been spreading quickly in part of the United Kingdom and has caused a lockdown in most areas in Southern England, according to The Washington Post report.

Scientists believe that the new variant can be more transmitted easily and faster.

However, it does not appear to make people sicker.

Colorado Case of New Variant

The recorded case of new variant in Colorado includes a male in his 20s who is currently in isolation in Elbert County, about 70 miles southeast of Denver.

The patient has no travel history, according to Gov. Jared Polis' tweet.

"The individual has no close contacts identified so far but public health officials are working to identify other potential cases and contacts through thorough contact tracing interviews," the statement was quoted on a report.

A federal scientist involved in the investigation said that the individual's lack of known travel history implies that this is not an isolated case.

This is in contrast with most confirmed cases outside the United Kingdom. The official said that they can expect that it will be detected elsewhere. The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the virus variant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was then notified of the first discovered case in the United States, according to an Associated Press News report.

UK scientists believe that the new variant is more contagious that the previously identified strains.

Colorado health officials said in a news release that the vaccines being administered on individuals now are believed to be effective against the new variant.

Public health officials are looking at other potential cases and conducting contract tracing to know the spread of the variant throughout the country.

Polis said that there is a lot that is not yet know about the new COVID-19 variant, adding that scientists in the UK are cautioning the world that it is more contagious.

Polis said that the safety of Coloradans is their top priority, adding that they will monitor the case closely.

Police and health officials are set to do a news conference on Wednesday.

With the discovery of the new variant in the country, the CDC was prompted to release new rules on Christmas Day for travelers arriving to the U.S. from the UK.

They would be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before entering the country.

Worry about the new variant has been growing since the weekend before Christmas.

The Britain's prime minister has already warned the world about the new strain of the COVID-19.

Other countries have also announced that it would bar entry of all nonresident foreign nationals as a preemptive measure against the new strain.

Japan said on Monday that it would start closing its borders on nonresident foreign nationals.

Other countries such as Canada, Italy, India, and United Arab Emirates have also reported having the UK variant in their country.