LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Department of Health and Human Services in Nebraksa has confirmed the first known case of the British variant of COVID-19 in the state.
The individual is a woman in her 20s and is a Douglas County resident.
‘The state has long said that we suspect these new variants of this virus are circulating in Nebraska, and we are vigilant in our efforts to sequence genomics to quickly identify new variants to slow the spread. Masking, removal and vaccination remain our best defense against these new variants, ”said dr. Gary Anthone, chief medical officer of Nebraska, said.
This particular variant has been found in 45 other states and is more easily transmitted, but both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have shown efficacy against it.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is expected to be approved soon, has also been shown to be effective against it.
Case investigation and contact detection began and will continue within 24 hours after the positive laboratory test.
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