Colorado health officials confirmed over the weekend that the state had confirmed the first cases of a coronavirus variant detected in South Africa late last year.
Officials said three cases of the B.1.351 variant were detected in the Colorado Department of Corrections Buena Vista Correctional Complex. Two cases were among staff members and the other case was in a captive person.
The samples were found after being randomly selected for genomic monitoring at the Colorado State Public Health Laboratory, which “will order all positive samples from this facility to look for variants,” health officials said in a news release.
State health officials said they had notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the cases, adding that all exposed persons at the correctional facility would have to complete a 14-day quarantine. ‘
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Inmates at the Colorado Department of Corrections Buena Vista Correctional Complex are tested weekly, officials said, noting that testing inmates and staff for COVID-19 ‘was one of the most important tools for the Department of Corrections during the course of this pandemic. “
The B.1.351 strain was first detected in October 2020 in South Africa. The strain is worrying because experts believe it is more transmissible and probably more virulent than the original strain, meaning it could cause serious illness. It has also been shown to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines, and that it almost escapes antibody treatments. Several drug manufacturers, including Moderna, are now working on variant booster shots in an effort to provide more protection against the variants.
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“Everyone should continue to wear masks, exercise physical distance, wash their hands regularly and be vaccinated when it is their turn. This is our best tool to prevent the spread of this virus, regardless of the stress,” he said. Colorado health officials said in the release. “Early research suggests that the currently authorized vaccines are effective against known variants, albeit to varying degrees, depending on the strain. Experts emphasize that being vaccinated can provide significant protection against COVID-19.”
Foxla’s Kayla Rivas contributed to this report.