DHS confirms UK variant of COVID-19 found in Wisconsin

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January 13, 2021 10:26 AM

Logan Rude

Posted: January 13, 2021 10:26 AM

Update: January 13, 2021 11:14

Coronavirus — This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (orange) – also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19 – isolated from a patient in the United States, emerging from the surface of cells (green) grown in the laboratory.

MADISON, Wisconsin – Health officials have confirmed that a more contagious variant of COVID-19 first identified in the UK has made its way to Wisconsin.

The variant, called B.1.1.7, was identified on Tuesday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. There is no evidence that the new variant causes more serious illness or risk of death.

“We already know that COVID-19 is easily transmitted by respiratory droplets, and with this new variant which appears to be even more contagious, it is even more important to take preventative measures like wearing a mask and keeping away physical, ”said Andrea Palm, secretary-designate of DHS. .

Officials said the variant was identified through routine surveillance and genome sequencing.

“Mutations between viruses are very common. This is not unusual – in fact, it is expected. As time passes in the pandemic and the virus continues to replicate on a large scale, the genetic sequence of the virus will change, ”said Chief Medical Officer Dr Ryan Westergaard.

The variant was first discovered in the United States in Colorado about two weeks ago.

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