The first case of the COVID-19 variant suspected to have originated in South Africa has been identified in Massachusetts, the state Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday.
The B.1.351 variant was discovered in a woman in her 20s who lives in Middlesex County and who has had no travel.
It is known that the variant spreads easily. Genetic sequencing at the Broad Institute on behalf of the DPH confirms the variant that was originally identified in South Africa.
State health officials insist on constant vigilance, including wearing safe face masks, keeping your distance from others, avoiding meetings, and staying home when you are sick.
The state continues to see new cases of the variant of the virus first detected in the UK. The health department said on Tuesday it had now located 34 cases of the B.1.1.7. variant.