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As the variant of the coronavirus first identified in the UK becomes dominant in the US, doctors are warning that a fourth wave could be imminent.
There are at least 11,569 cases of the strain, known as B 1.1.7, in 49 of the 50 states and the Distinct of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Florida, which recently hosted thousands of Spring Breakers, has the most cases linked to the variant followed by Michigan, which is already plagued by a surge in COVID-19 infections.
The two states, along with New Jersey, account for more than a third, 34.2%, of all confirmed cases in America.
Several European countries have seen new restrictions due to the increase in variant cases and epidemiologist Dr Michael Osterholm told CNN it was only a matter of time before the United States be next.
There are at least 11,569 cases of the strain, known as B 1.1.7, in the United States, with cases confirmed in nearly every state in the United States.
Epidemiologist Dr Michael Osterholm (pictured) said he expected an increased risk of sin in the United States from the British variant because the majority of the American population is not vaccinated
“I’m telling you right now… we’re just starting to go up.” Denying it won’t help us, ”Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told New Day.
“ We walk into the mouth of this viral monster like we don’t know he’s here. And it’s here. Now is the time to do whatever we need to do to slow the transmission, not to open ourselves up, and we need to get more vaccines to more people.
The UK variant was first discovered in Kent County in September, but was not considered a ‘variant of concern’ (VOC) until December.
Its name, B.1.1.7, derives from the location of its most significant mutations.
It now accounts for at least 90% of all cases in Britain.
Most estimates put it at around 70% more infectious than older variants of the “ wild-type ” coronavirus, but more moderate projections indicate that its transmissibility is only about 56% higher.
This is because one of the variant’s many mutations is in the spike protein, which the virus uses to enter and infect human cells.
At a press conference on Wednesday, CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky revealed that B.1.1.7 accounted for between 4 and 35% of coronavirus cases depending on the region.
She says the CDC believes the variant currently accounts for 26% of cases across the country.
But in a new study, researchers at the Scripps Institute found that between December 2020 and February 2021, 67% of samples returned positive for the mutation.
Currently, Florida has the most cases of B.1.1.7, with a fifth of all cases occurring – over 2,300 – in the Sunshine State.
Michigan has the second-highest number of variant cases, 10.6% overall, and is currently experiencing a spike in global coronavirus infections
“ We have a high proportion of variants, which means the coronavirus is spreading faster, ” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer told CNN.
“These are much more contagious and we are seeing that whether in youth sports or whether it is the re-engagement of some of our restaurants.
New Jersey has also seen a 12% increase in cases and an increase in hospitalizations, which officials say are linked to the variant and have warned the numbers could remain high during the summer.
“ The rise in cases is believed to be mainly due to more contagious variants, for example B.1.1.7, the UK variant, coupled with less cautious behaviors, ” Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said on Wednesday.
A recent study estimated that the UK variant is now dominant with 67% of all samples tested between December and February linked to the strain.
Osterholm advocated a strategy of giving as many people as possible the first injections possible, then giving the second injections in the summer when the stock rises.
Osterholm told New Day that the United States must ensure that as many people as possible in the United States receive the first doses, as is a strategy being conducted in the United Kingdom.
A recent study found that an injection of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines offered about 80% protection.
He said that when the stock increases during the summer, people can receive their second hit.
“This B.1.1.7 push is going to happen. It is not a question of if. It’s going to happen, ”Osterholm said.
And if you follow what happened last year, the upper Midwest and Northeast light up first. They have the first set of cases and the southern solar belt states then light up.
“ Even though we are seeing a few instances in this area, note my word, in the next six to eight weeks we are going to see this area light up as well. We need to release more vaccines. That’s the key message right now. ”
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