TOPEKA, Canada (KWCH) – An emerging CDC variant was found in Kansas this afternoon, found in 33 U.S. states. A Kansas resident in Ellis County was found to have either the United Kingdom or the United Kingdom, a variant known as B.1.1.7. A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as whether other people may have been exposed. No further details about the patient are published, including demographics.
The variant was determined through all genome sequencing (WGS) performed through the laboratories of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).
“This finding does not change our public health recommendations. We continue to encourage people to take the right precautions: follow the recommendations of isolation and quarantine, practice physical distancing, wear masks, good hygiene, stay home if sick and get the vaccine if possible, once the supply is enough, ”said Dr. Norman, secretary of the KDHE, said.
This variant was first reported in the United States in late December 2020. Evidence from the UK indicates that this variant is spreading much more rapidly across the population and, given this fact, may rapidly increase the number of hospitalizations and deaths. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
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