The new P.1 variant of COVID-19, which was first found in travelers from Brazil, has been detected more than anywhere else in the country in Massachusetts, and most of the cases are according to researchers part of a group in Cape Cod.
New data from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard showed that 54 cases of the P.1 variant were reported in Massachusetts – mostly on Cape Cod – during the month following the first reported case of the variant in the state to the end of February.
‘If you see that there are many [P.1] cases in Massachusetts, it’s partly because we’re looking for it, ”said William Hanage, associate professor of epidemiology at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. “It is expected to happen at some point, and it has certainly happened now.”
The research suggests that 43 of these cases form a single group that is likely linked to an introduction from Brazil, with the remaining cases of P.1 possibly from Nebraska, Italy and other areas, he said.
‘The majority of [the 54 total cases] ‘is associated with a single group, because as we know … most cases are not sent,’ said Hanage. “Those who do send out, compensate.”
P.1 cases did not continue to climb in the state, but Hanage expects more to appear.
Research shows that the variant spreads faster than the original COVID-19 strain, but scientists have yet to determine if it is more deadly or more likely to re-infect those who have already recovered from the virus.
The introduction of the variant is a new source of concern at Cape Cod.
About half of all municipalities in Barnstable County are at high risk for transmission, according to the weekly COVID-19 report on public health. Most have also seen an increase in cases and positivity figures over the past few weeks, a sign that a new boom could hit the area if these numbers continue to grow.
At the same time, more residents were vaccinated at the Cape than in any other region in Massachusetts.
The state’s weekly vaccination report shows that 44 percent of Barnstable County residents received at least one dose of vaccinations on March 30 – the highest percentage in the state. The province at that time also fully vaccinated 27 percent of its population, and only the second place at Martha’s Vineyard.
Hanage said the various cases were detected on Cape Cod when fewer people were vaccinated in the state. Although vaccines are likely to be effective against this new strain, he said Massachusetts still has a long way to go before it can ward off variants of the virus.
“To completely rule out this virus, we need to vaccinate a lot more people than we have already done,” Hanage said. ‘The high vaccination rates [right now] itself is not sufficient to be protective, and if we allow more transfer, we will get more business. ”
Caroline Enos can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @CarolineEnos.