[ad_1]
Massachusetts health officials on Sunday announced the state’s first known case of the more contagious variant coronavirus initially detected in the UK, known as B.1.1.7.
The mutated strain was detected in a Boston resident in her 20s who traveled to the UK, according to a statement from the Department of Public Health.
Although the woman tested negative before leaving the UK, she fell ill a day after arriving in the United States and subsequently tested positive. The CDC currently requires passengers traveling from the United Kingdom to the United States provide negative COVID-19 test results within three days of travel. (As of Jan. 26, all international passengers traveling to the United States will be required to provide the same, according to the CDC.) The statement does not specify when the woman was tested.
Contact tracers interviewed the woman and identified her close contacts, according to the health department statement.
OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA CALLS TO PAUSE THE MODERNA VACCINE BATCH AFTER A POSSIBLE ALLERGIC REACTION
“The individual developed symptoms in early January and tested positive for COVID-19,” read the statement released on Sunday. “A genetic sample was sent to an out-of-state laboratory as part of the surveillance process established by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify variants of COVID-19 . The national public health laboratory was informed of the results last night. . “
Health officials are re-interviewing the woman and surveillance for variants is ongoing at the state’s public health laboratory.
THE CORONAVIRUS VARIANT CONCERNED BY CDC MAY DOMINATE US
Massachusetts joins 14 other states in the country that have already reported cases of the British coronavirus variant. Data compiled by the CDC lists at least 88 cases of the variant, excluding the newly reported case in Massachusetts. This strain is believed to be around 50% to 70% more contagious, but it is not believed to cause more serious illness or death. The recently approved vaccines are believed to remain effective against the strain.
“Given the increased transmissibility of this variant and the number of states and other countries that have found infected cases, the Department expects the variant to eventually reach Massachusetts,” the statement continued.
GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Health officials have urged to use a mask, take physical distances, stay home when sick and get tested to reduce the risk of further infections. Massachusetts reported 4,283 new coronavirus infections on January 17, contributing to a total of 448,311 cases. There are 13,372 reported deaths and more than 2,100 people in the state are hospitalized for the new virus.
Younger populations (0-19, 20-29) account for the greatest number of new infections.
[ad_2]
Source link