U.K. coronavirus variant arrives in Missouri as new cases, hospitalizations fall
COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri has reported its first case of a coronavirus variant that researchers believe is more contagious than strains that are already dominant here.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant, better known as the U.K. variant, has been identified in an adult in Marion County. The agency gave no further details because of privacy reasons.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.K. variant was identified last fall and spreads more easily and quickly than other strains of the virus that causes COVID-19. It was first identified in the U.S. at the end of December.
The ease with which the variant spreads has a potential to strain health care resources and lead to more hospitalizations, according to the CDC.
Experts in the U.K. suggest the variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other coronavirus variants but the CDC says more studies need to be conducted.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says it is working with local public health agencies on contact tracing and quarantine protocols regarding the new variant.
The CDC recommends proper mask wearing, social distancing of at least 6 feet, avoiding crowds and proper hand-washing.
As of Sunday, the CDC had reported 690 cases of the U.K. variant in 33 states including Missouri. Florida has the highest number of U.K. variant cases with 201. California has the second-most with 150 cases identified.
Scientists are closely watching some other variants, as well.
Six cases of a variant first identified in South Africa, B.1.351, have been identified in three states. Three cases of the P.1 variant from Brazil have been found in Minnesota and Oklahoma.
According to the CDC, all of the new variants are spreading faster than the dominant COVID-19 variant in the U.S.
Missouri, like many other states, is experiencing a slowdown in new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. The state's coronavirus test positivity rate fell to 8% on Monday and hospitalizations are at levels not seen since before the fall surge began in November, according to the state's coronavirus dashboard.
The state says 144,859 vaccine shots have been given to Missourians in the last week.
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