MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The new coronavirus variant, originally distributed in England, has reached Wisconsin.
The Department of Health Services reports that it has been confirmed that the variant, which appears to be spreading faster and faster than the current strain, was found in Eau Claire on Tuesday. DHS noted that although it appears to be more contagious, the new strain does not appear to be more lethal or cause worse COVID-19 symptoms.
“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. .
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway had earlier warned that the variant was probably already in the state after it was confirmed in neighboring Minnesota. Dr. Ryan Westergaard, medical officer of DHS, noted that virus mutations are “very common” and that coronavirus variants are expected.
“As time goes on in the pandemic and the virus continues on a large scale, the genetic sequence of the virus will change,” he said.
The mutated strain was discovered using laboratory partners, DHS explained, through continuous surveillance and sequencing of the entire genome.
This story is still evolving. NBC15 will update it as more information becomes available.
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