Two States Confirm First Cases of More Contagious COVID-19 Variant
Two U.S. states, Colorado and California, have each confirmed their first cases of the more contagious COVID-19 variant that was first identified in the United Kingdom.
The earlier one of these cases was found in the state of Colorado for a male patient in his 20s who is currently in isolation, reported BBC.
Meanwhile, the California reported its first case of the COVID-19 variant in the southern part of the state.
More states are also likely to report their first cases of the COVID-19 variant while officials with recorded infections are identifying contacts and other potential cases of the new virus strain.
First Case Did Not Have Any Travel History
The first patient appeared to have no travel history and mild symptoms, state health officials told The Associated Press.
For the moment, the new COVID-19 variant isn't common in the U.S. yet but the patient's lack of travel history could mean that it is spreading in the community.
Trevor Bedford, a scientist who studies the spread of COVID-19 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, said it was probably seeded by travelers from the U.K. between November and December.
So now, Bedford is worried that there will be another spike in the virus just like it did in spring since the "virus has just gotten a little bit faster "than the vaccine.
Read also: Operation Warp Speed Behind Schedule: Vaccinating Americans Could Take 10 Years at Current Pace
Colorado Officials Investigate Possible Second Case of COVID-19 Variant
According to a USA Today report, Colorado officials are already looking into a possible second case it has of the variant.
The second suspected case was also in isolation in Lincoln County and did not have any international travel in recent weeks as well.
"We are aware of one confirmed and another possible case with the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus," the state's epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy said in a news conference Wednesday morning.
The news was also confirmed to Colorado Politics by director of public health for Elbert County Dwayne Smith.
The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed that the first case was from the variant and has already notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Herlihy, both of the state's cases were National Guard soldiers who were deployed at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Simla, Colorado.
It's not yet clear if the soldiers were infected at the facility or elsewhere, but scientists are currently "exploring possibilities," she said.
There was a virus outbreak in the facility in mid-December and the soldiers were deployed on December 23 and got tested as routine procedure the following day.
Southern California's Virus Strained ICUs Cause More Worry
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also confirmed that a case of the new variant was found in the state on Wednesday afternoon, but he did not provide further information on the patient.
San Diego County officials said that the patient was in his 30s and also had no travel history like the other patients.
With the lack of travel history, there could be more cases of the variant spreading in the region as well, the officials said.
Related Story: California Extends Stay-at-Home Order Amid Sustained Virus Surge
On a more worrisome note, Southern California's hospitals are already losing room for COVID-19 patients as ICU space in the region already dropped to 0%.
Another spike in cases caused by the variant could cause some trouble in health care facilities.
The new COVID-19 variant known as B.1.1.7 is said to be more contagious but not more severe than other strains of the virus.
Models show that it has increased transmission of 70% compared to other variants.
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