British coronavirus variant found in County Tompkins; another reported death

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TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY – The Tompkins County Department of Health has discovered the UK variant of the coronavirus in a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Tompkins County. The person is in isolation, the contact investigation is complete, and no close contacts have been identified – the person had recently traveled and had already been quarantined upon return.

According to the Department of Health, there is no evidence that this strain is more dangerous or deadly to humans than the original strain of coronavirus, which has shut down the United States for almost a year. However, it is more contagious.

“Although this variant is more contagious, we are confident that we detected the positive case immediately and that the individual has had no close contact,” said Director of Public Health Frank Kruppa. “We all still have a role to play in stopping the spread, and must continue to wear masks, avoid crowds and stay away from each other.”

YOUR LOCAL NEWS ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF:

Here is more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html.

The case was discovered by Cornell University’s COVID-19 testing lab and is sequenced for the British strain when they identify as close contact or after relevant travel from the UK. The first case was discovered in the United States on January 4, 2021, and subsequent cases have also been found throughout New York.

Additionally, another person has died from coronavirus in Tompkins County on the 19th since the start of the pandemic.



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