Health officials in Minnesota this past weekend identified five cases of a coronavirus variant that was first identified in the United Kingdom. This added to a growing list of states that have confirmed cases of the mutation and raised concerns that the variant is likely to have already spread across the country.
The British variant, known as B.1.1.7, was “identified by genomic sequencing in positive samples from five residents of four different provinces in the Twin Cities metro area,” Minnesota Department of Health officials said in a news release. Said Saturday. which noted that four of the cases were identified by state health officials, while the fifth was identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
None of the cases, aged between 15 and 37, were admitted to hospital, the health department said. The disease occurred mid to late December, from December 16 to December 31, according to the news release.
At least two of the cases have recently traveled internationally, although it is not clear where. One of the cases had no recent trip, while the other had ‘unknown’ travel history, state health officials said.
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Health department epidemiologists “are conducting another interview with the cases to gather more information on how they were likely exposed and who their close contacts were. The investigation is continuing,” officials said.
The B.1.1.7 mutation was first discovered in the United Kingdom a few weeks ago, but has since appeared in several U.S. states, including Colorado, where it was first identified in the country, as well as in New York. York, California, Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania, among others.
Last week, the CDC said that more than 50 cases of the mutated coronavirus strain had been identified in the US
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The voltage is considered more transferable than COVID-19. At present, however, experts appear confident that existing coronavirus vaccines will work against the variant.
Minnesota epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield said in a statement that officials “expect to detect the virus” [variant]”in the state.
“Knowing that it is here now does not change our current recommendations on public health,” she added.
“While it is thought to be more easily spread from one person to another, it has not been found to cause more serious illnesses,” Lynfield continued. “With RNA viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, it is not unexpected to see new, more successful strains emerge.”
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“This virus makes it very difficult for people to know if they or the person next to them is infected – whether this tribe or another tribe – so we must all do our part to protect ourselves and each other,” said Minnesota’s director of infectious added. Illness Kris Ehresmann, in a statement.
So far, officials with Pfizer and BioNTech – the companies whose candidate for COVID-19 vaccine has been very effective in late-stage clinical trials and the first blow approved by the US Food and Drug Administration – have expressed confidence in its ability to protect against stress, while also suggesting the flexibility of the technology if an adjustment is needed.