The so-called ‘South African’ variant of the COVID-19 virus was first detected in a Connecticut patient, according to the Department of Public Health.
The B.1.351 variant was found in a Fairfield County resident between the ages of 60-70 who had not traveled recently. The person is currently being admitted outside the hospital, DPH said.
Connecticut was notified of the diagnosis by health officials in New York.
The B.1.351 variant is more contagious than the original COVID-19 virus. This strain of the virus was first detected in South Africa in October 2020 and was first discovered in the United States at the end of January 2021, according to a news release.
‘Seeing another variant in our state reminds us once again of the seriousness of this pandemic and reinforces the need for us to take all the necessary precautions that have proved successful over the past year. “The virus does not recognize state borders, and it certainly does not recognize international borders, which means that we are all responsible for doing what we can on a personal basis to mitigate the spread,” said Governor Ned Lamont.
With the discovery of the new B.1.351 variant, as well as 42 cases in Connecticut of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the UK, health officials urged residents to remain vigilant when it comes when wearing masks and social distancing.
Correction (15 February 2021 16:21) An earlier version of this story contains incorrect information from DPH that the B.1.351 variant caused more serious diseases than the original strain of COVID-19. DPH now says CDC leadership shows no evidence that it causes serious illness.