BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Health announced on Wednesday, March 17, that at least four residents have tested positive for a new coronavirus strain that originated in California in the past month.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently added coronavirus strains B.1.427 and B.1.429, first detected in California, to its “variant of concern.” Early research shows that these variants are about 20% more contagious than other strains commonly found in the US
Preliminary investigation suggests immunity may not be guaranteed after the contracts of California tribes were acquired, said Kirby Kruger, director of disease control in North Dakota. The COVID-19 vaccines commonly administered in the US may also not be as effective against the California strains. In contrast, the vaccines in early research have shown that it is effective in preventing people from becoming ill from the British variant.
Seven North Dakota residents have tested positive over the past month with British tensions. The health department says the variants have been identified across the country, but does not want to say specifically where the positive individuals were found.
Although only a total of 11 cases of COVID-19 variants have been identified nationwide, the Department of Health says there are likely to be more cases in North Dakota because many people who are positive are not tested and the state can not screen. all tests for variants.
“I suspect these variants probably spread throughout the state and have just flown under the radar of detection,” Kruger said.
At least 48 states have identified positive cases of the British variant, and nearly 4,700 cases of the variant were reported nationwide on Tuesday. According to the CDC, Minnesota has confirmed 251 cases of the British tribe as of Tuesday.
Readers can contact reporter Michelle Griffith, a report for the U.S. Corps member, at [email protected].