The Minnesota Department of Health said Monday it confirmed the first known case in the U.S. of a more contagious coronavirus variant that was originally found in Brazil.
The Brazilian strain was found through the health department’s variant surveillance program, according to a press release. The department collects 50 random samples each week for genome sequencing.
The patient with the Brazil variant is resident in the Twin Cities metropolitan area who recently traveled to Brazil, according to state health officials. The person became ill during the first week of January and the specimen was collected on January 9, according to the state.
“We are grateful that our testing program has helped us find this case and we thank all Minnesota people who are looking for evidence when they feel bad or have reason to have a test,” said Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, in a statement. “We know that while we work hard to defeat COVID-19, the virus continues to evolve as all viruses do.”
Earlier in the day, President Joe Biden extended travel restrictions to Europe, the United Kingdom and Brazil, in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19, especially as new coronavirus strains are identified.
Health officials are concerned that the Covid-19 vaccines currently on the market may not be as effective in protecting against new, more contagious coronavirus strains. Moderna said Monday she is working on a reinforcement shot to protect herself from another strain found in South Africa.
The Brazilian strain, called P.1, was first identified in four travelers from Brazil who were tested during routine screening in Tokyo, Japan, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to the CDC, it contains a set of additional mutations that can affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies.
State health officials also said on Monday they found two more cases of the B.1.1.7 virus that was first identified in the UK through last week’s variant surveillance tests. Of the two new cases of this variant, both are residents in the Twin Cities subway area and both reported recent trips to California, officials said.
“These cases illustrate why it is so important to limit travel to the maximum during a pandemic,” epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield said in a statement. “If you are traveling, it is important to monitor your symptoms for COVID-19, follow public health guidelines to test yourself before the trip, use careful protective measures during the trip, and quarantine and test yourself after the trip. “.