MADISON, Wis. Health authorities have confirmed that a more contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the UK has moved to Wisconsin.
The variant, called B.1.1.7, was identified Tuesday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. There is no evidence that the new variant causes more serious diseases or the risk of death.
“We already know that COVID-19 can be easily transmitted through respiratory droplets, and because this new variant looks even more contagious, it is even more important to take preventative measures, such as wearing a mask and physically removing it,” he said. Andrea Palm, secretary of the DHS, said. .
Officials said the variant was identified by routine monitoring and genome sequencing.
‘Mutations among viruses are very common. This is not uncommon – in fact, it is expected. “As time goes on in the pandemic and the virus continues on a large scale, the genetic sequence of the virus will change,” said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, medical chief, said.
The variant was found in the USA in Colorado about two weeks ago.
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