Fairfield student had variant of British coronavirus

FAIRFIELD, CT – A Fairfield student who tested positive for coronavirus in late January had the new, more contagious British variant of the disease, officials said on Friday.

“I would like to remind students and staff to remain cautious, especially as the COVID-19 B117 (UK) variant has been identified in Connecticut,” Superintendent Mike Cummings said in a message to parents on Friday. . “It is important that everyone continues to wear their masks, wash their hands, and stay away from those outside your household.

The student who contracted the variant has completed his isolation and everyone in contact with the student has been quarantined, Cummings said. The school district will not disclose the school attended by the student, according to communications director Andrea Clark.

“The health department has consulted with the CT public health department and no further action is required at this point,” Cummings said, adding that 42 people in the state have tested positive for the UK variant.

Despite the presence of the variant, viral data is on the decline, with fewer hospitalizations and deaths, according to Cummings and First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, who also discussed the B117 case in her weekly email to residents.

From Jan.31 to Feb.6, Fairfield saw 103 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, up from 192 confirmed cases from the week of Dec.27 to Jan.2, according to city data. The Fairfield Health Department administered 6,958 vaccines, with 4,700 more appointments scheduled for February.

Since the pandemic hit Connecticut last March, Fairfield has recorded 3,942 cases and 194 residents have died in association with the virus. In the Fairfield School District, 374 students and 108 staff have recovered from the virus. Ten other students and two staff members recently tested positive.