DENVER (CBS4) – A new variant of the COVID-19 virus has been discovered in Colorado, which is considered more contagious. Governor Jared Polis and state health officials announced the first Colorado case of variant B.1.1.7 of COVID-19, which was previously discovered in the United Kingdom.
(credit: CBS)
“The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed and notified the case to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The individual is a man in his twenties who is currently isolated in Albert County and has no history of travel.
“The individual is recovering in isolation and will remain there until authorized by public health officials. The individual has not identified any close contact so far, but public health officials are working to identify other cases and potential contacts through interviews. comprehensive contact tracking ”.
Public health officials said they were doing a thorough investigation.
“There are many things we don’t know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the UK warn the world that it is significantly more contagious. The health and safety of Colorado is our top priority and we will be closely monitoring this case as well. like all COVID-19 indicators. We are working to prevent the spread and contain the virus at all levels, “Governor Jared Polis said.
Officials said the Colorado state lab was the first in the country to quickly identify the variant through sophisticated analysis of test samples.
Scientists in the UK believe that variant B.1.1.7 is more contagious than the previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, although it has no more symptoms.
Currently approved vaccines are believed to be effective against this variant.
“The fact that Colorado has detected this variant for the first time in the nation is a testament to the sophistication of Colorado’s response and the talent of scientists and laboratory operations at CDPHE,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Department. of Colorado Public Health and Environment. “We are currently using all available tools to protect public health and mitigate the spread of this variant.”
Governor Polis and state officials will provide more details at a press conference tomorrow morning.