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A super-spread COVID-19 strain first discovered in the UK has been found in an Oahu resident with no travel history.
“This indicates he’s from somewhere in the community,” acting state epidemiologist Sarah Kemble said at a press conference today. Close contact has also tested positive for the virus, although tests are still underway to confirm the variant. “There is some community transmission, although currently small. We didn’t find many of these cases and we looked. “
Earlier this week, health officials in Hawaii warned that the 60% more contagious British strain, known as B1.1.7, could be circulating in the islands, a potential setback in the world’s largest vaccine race number of residents possible before exposure to new strains.
The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division has identified four specimens that “exhibit a molecular index associated with UK B1.1.7 (variant)”. The DOH is still working to confirm the other samples.
Additionally, health officials found nine cases of the Denmark L452R strain last week, although this variant has yet to be shown to spread faster or be at higher risk than other mutations.
More transmissible strains mean it may take 80% to 90% of the population to get vaccinated in order to achieve so-called herd immunity instead of the state’s target of 60% to 70% , Kemble told reporters earlier this week.
“We know that there will likely be higher immunization coverage that is needed to achieve this tipping point where we interrupt vaccine transmission in the community,” she said. “It’s really about stepping up. It just underscores the importance of getting the vaccine out and getting people out to come in for the vaccine. “
Health officials have reported 101 new coronavirus infections, bringing the state’s total since the start of the pandemic to 26,286 cases. No new deaths from COVID-19 have been reported, with deaths statewide remaining at 416. The number of coronavirus deaths in the United States has exceeded 456,900. Of the total number of infections of the State, 1,342 cases are considered active.
The British variant can spread more aggressively, so residents should be vigilant, Lt. Gov. Josh Green said.
“Be in control of what we can control, and that’s our behavior. One of our weapons is vaccination, ”Green said, adding that the state administered 189,446 shots on Thursday and was distributing about 50,000 doses on average per week. By March 1, the goal is to get around 350,000 gunshots and by April 1, 550,000, he said. “We are… in a race against time to protect our kupuna and all of our people in the state. This is how we defeat COVID. “
The tools to combat variants haven’t changed, including wearing masks, social distancing, hand washing and staying home when sick, Gov. David Ige said.
“We want to stress that the B1.17 variant is different. As we’ve seen in the UK this can quickly spread and erase any progress we’ve made here in the State, but we know how to stop this and other variations, ”he said. , urging the public not to attend. in-person Super Bowl parties which can be very popular events. “We know what actions and precautions we need to take to slow the spread. We are not helpless in combating this variant or the spread of COVID-19. “
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