Molecular model of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus spike (S) protein (red) with highlighted mutation sites variant B.1.531 and B.1.1.7. S proteins are found in the viral membrane, bind to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors (ACE2, blue) on host cell membranes, and facilitate virus entry into the cell. · Lula.
Juan Gaertner | Photographic library of sciences Getty Images
The highly contagious variant first identified in the UK is now the most common Covid strain circulating in the US, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, is “now the most common lineage circulating in the United States.” CDC director Dr. Rachelle Walensky said during a White House briefing. “Testing remains an important strategy for quickly identifying and isolating infectious people, including those with variants of concern,” Walensky said.
The UK identified B.1.1.7, which appears to be more deadly and spread more easily than other strains, last autumn. Since then, it has spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, which has identified 16,275 cases in 52 jurisdictions as of Tuesday, according to the CDC.
Florida has the most confirmed cases of the new variant, according to a map from CDC data, closely followed by Michigan, Wisconsin, California and Colorado. Public health officials say they are working as quickly as possible to identify more cases.
Last week, Walensky said strain B.1.1.7 was beginning to become the predominant strain in many U.S. regions, accounting for 26% of Covid-19 cases circulating across the country. He urged the public to continue with pandemic security measures, such as washing their hands, wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
“This is a critical moment in our fight against the pandemic,” Walensky said last week. “We can’t afford to lower our guard.”
The coronavirus case count remains far from its January highs, but slightly above the most recent low in late March. The seven-day average of new daily cases is 64,700, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, a level similar to what the country saw during the summer hike.
Although the pace of vaccinations is increasing, highly contagious variants are spreading rapidly and could slow the nation’s recovery from the pandemic.
Walensky said Wednesday that the United States must step up its vaccination efforts, which averaged about 3.1 million shots a day as of Monday. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced that states should open Covid-19 vaccine appointments to all U.S. adults by April 19, increasing their initial deadline by nearly two weeks.
“We must continue to vaccinate as many Americans as we can every day,” Walensky said, adding that it will lead to a decrease in new cases and deaths.
– CNBC’s Nate Rattner contributed to this report.