Although the number of known cases of the variant is relatively low, the North Dakota Department of Health says there are likely to be more people with the strain or infected, and residents are urged to be vigilant against COVID-19.
The seven cases were identified in different regions across the country, but the health department declined to comment specifically on where the cases were found.
“These are the ones we are aware of, and we can not test 100% of all those who are positive and not all who are positive are tested, and therefore we know that we do not see the whole picture here,” he said. he said. Kirby Kruger, the disease control director of the Department of Health.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were nearly 4,700 cases of the British variant nationwide nationwide on Thursday, March 11th. affairs with Thursday 738.
Scientists estimate that the British variant is between 35% and 45% more transmissible than the strains commonly found in the USA
The North Dakota Department of Health confirmed its first batch of four cases of the British variant a month ago after one person recently returned from a trip to another country. The other was close contact with the traveler. Since then, the Department of Health has tracked down three additional cases of the British variant. No other COVID-19 variants have been identified in North Dakota since Tuesday.
North Dakota’s public health lab is analyzing some of the state’s COVID-19 tests to look for the British variant. Some of North Dakota’s tests are handled by private laboratories outside the state, and Kruger said the state does not know how many of these tests are screened for variants.
Kruger said it is important that North Dakotans continue to practice COVID-19 mitigation strategies and get the vaccine when it is their turn.
“We call on people to be vaccinated. We know that at least with the British variant that the immunity caused by the vaccination will provide good cover against this particular variant, and therefore we only encourage people to be vaccinated. to be, “Kruger said.
Readers can contact reporter Michelle Griffith, a report for the U.S. Corps member, at [email protected].