DENVER (CBS4) A new variant of the COVID-19 virus, which is considered more contagious, has been discovered in Colorado. Government Jared Polis and state health officials have announced Colorado’s first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, previously discovered in the United Kingdom.
(Credit: CBS)
The Colorado State Laboratory has confirmed and notified the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of the case. The individual is a man in his 20s who is currently in isolation in Elbert County and has no travel history.
‘The individual is recovering in isolation and will remain there until public health officials remove it. The individual has so far not identified any close contacts, but public health officials are working to identify other possible cases and contacts through thorough contact tracing interviews. ”
Public health officials said they are conducting a thorough investigation.
‘There’s a lot we do not know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the UK are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious. The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will be closely monitoring this matter, as well as all COVID-19 indicators. We are working to prevent the spread and contain the virus at all levels, ”said Jared Polis.
Officials said the state laboratory in Colorado was the first in the country to quickly identify the variant through a sophisticated analysis of test specimens.
Scientists in the UK believe that the B.1.1.7 variant is more contagious than the previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, although it is not more serious.
It is suspected that the currently approved vaccines are effective against this variant.
“The fact that Colorado first detected this variant in the country is proof of the sophistication of Colorado’s response and the talent of CDPHE’s scientists and laboratory operations,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Administration. health and environment, said. “We are currently using all available tools to protect public health and mitigate the spread of this variant.”
Government Polis and government officials will provide further details at a press conference tomorrow morning.