New COVID-19 variant case reported in Nueces County, officials say

CHRISTI CORPUS, Texas – The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, originating in the United Kingdom, has been identified in Nueces County, according to Dr Srikanth Ramachandruni, a local health official.

According to a report by The Caller-Times, a Corpus Christi man, aged between 60 and 70, recently traveled to the UK due to a family emergency. Upon returning home, the man was diagnosed with the new COVID-19 variant, Ramachandruni said.

“The man, who returned from the trip at the end of December is in isolation and will remain in quarantine until cleared by the health authority,” the Caller-Times report said.

“One of its symptoms is a severe headache and it should get better,” Ramachandruni added.

The Caller-Times has so far said the strain has been found in eight states and 33 countries. The human diagnosis marks the second instance of the variant to be detected in Texas.

Just before New Years Eve, San Antonio metro health officials announced that researchers were trying to determine if the new variant had made its way into the Bexar County area. So far, the strain has not been detected.

The variant may be more transmissible; however, Dr Ramachandruni said it was no more deadly.

“Currently, there is no evidence that B.1.1.7 causes more serious illness or an increase in the number of deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Ramachandruni said.

Officials say they are confident they can contain the spread of the new variant, given that the man has been isolated since learning about it.

The state has since allocated 4,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to the Nueces County area, officials said.

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