The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned Friday that B117, the new COVID-19 variant, could become a dominant strain in March.

CDC
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More Infectious COVID-19 Variant

The United States remains the top country in the world with the highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Health and disease infectious experts in the country are worried that these numbers could increase due to the presence of the new COVID-19 variant.

According to a report in STAT News, the U.S. CDC warned on Friday that B117, the new COVID-19 variant, could become a dominant strain as soon as March.

CDC admitted as well that the B117 is a more transmissible variant that can cause COVID-19 cases to increase in the country in the upcoming weeks.

Moreover, the CDC believes the new variant circulating across the country is still at low levels. At present, there are only 76 infections caused by the new variant which have been detected in 12 states. However, the numbers could be higher since testing for it has not been routinely conducted.

Additionally, CDC officials acknowledged the new COVID-19 variant is likely more widespread in the country but it remained undetected due to lack of testing.

They also added that this will be a factor in the increase of cases in March.

Read also: California Reports First Case of New COVID-19 Strain

CDC's Suggestion to Reduce the Transmission of New Variant

In the modeling work done by the CDC scientists, they suggest that fast pacing of vaccination and stringent adherence of COVID-19 protocols increase the chance of controlling the spread of the new variant, according to the CDC's online journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reported on Friday.

Jay Butler, CDC's deputy director for infectious diseases, told a news outlet they are concerned with the presence of the new variant in the country.

He also added that they want to sound the alarm and urge people to continue to do the things or the protocols they knew would work.

Modeling of the scientists also suggests that without the presence of the new variant, the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths is supposed to decline in February and March.

However, vaccine rollout is not going smoothly in the country and this contends to the new variant.

Read also: Colorado Confirms First Case of Coronavirus New Variant in the U.S.

New COVID-19 Variant is More Transmissible

B117, the new COVID-19 variant, was first detected in the United Kingdom. This virus transmits more easily from person to person. It is thought that people who got infected with the new variant develop higher levels of virus in their upper respiratory tracts.

There were some studies conducted also which revealed that the new variant of COVID-19 is 50 to 70 percent more transmissible. Additionally, the new variants detected in South Africa and Brazil were reported to be more transmissible than the B117.

Meanwhile, even though there is no evidence yet which suggests that the new variant could trigger more severe symptoms but that is of a little reassurance given the speed of how the virus spreads.