3rd case of COVID-19 variant discovered in Colorado

DENVER (KKTV) – Another case of the COVID-19 variant has been detected in Colorado.

Colorado was the first state in the United States to discover a patient with the variant on December 29. The first patient was isolated in Elbert County following detection of variant B.1.1.7 of COVID-19. The variant has raised concerns around the world over signs that it could spread more easily. Although there is no indication that it causes more serious illness, several countries in Europe have therefore restricted travel from the UK. COVID-19 vaccines are believed to work against the variant as well.

The Colorado State Joint Information Center announced Thursday that a new case of the variant has been discovered in Aurora. Public health officials discovered Thursday’s third confirmed case and a possible case among staff at the Veterans Community Living Center in Fitzsimons run by the Colorado Department of Human Services.

The state claims that Coloradans can protect themselves from variant B.1.1.7 in the same way that they can protect themselves from the significant strain of SARS-CoV-2 by following public health protocols – hand washing, wearing of masks, physical distancing and avoidance of gatherings.

The second confirmed case is in the same location where the first confirmed case was found. Originally, the state was investigating this as a possible case until confirmation arrived on Thursday.

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