The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said it has identified the state’s first case of the South African variant of COVID-19.Health officials said the variant was identified in a sample from the patient, identified only as an adult living in Jackson County.The B.1.351 COVID-19 variant, was first identified in South Africa in December and began being reported in the United States in late January.The DHSS said this variant is not known to cause more severe disease and it is not clear whether it spreads more readily than other strains.“We continue to encourage prevention measures to be in place as we identify more positive cases of these variants,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. “We also continue to ask that individuals consider getting vaccinated when they are able. The vaccines that are currently available in the United States appear to be effective against these variant viruses.”The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 374 cases have been reported to the CDC in the United States as of April 5. At least 34 states have identified cases thus far.Another variant, B.1.1.7, also known as the UK variant, was first identified in Missouri in February this year.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said it has identified the state’s first case of the South African variant of COVID-19.
Health officials said the variant was identified in a sample from the patient, identified only as an adult living in Jackson County.
The B.1.351 COVID-19 variant, was first identified in South Africa in December and began being reported in the United States in late January.
The DHSS said this variant is not known to cause more severe disease and it is not clear whether it spreads more readily than other strains.
“We continue to encourage prevention measures to be in place as we identify more positive cases of these variants,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. “We also continue to ask that individuals consider getting vaccinated when they are able. The vaccines that are currently available in the United States appear to be effective against these variant viruses.”
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows 374 cases have been reported to the CDC in the United States as of April 5. At least 34 states have identified cases thus far.
Another variant, B.1.1.7, also known as the UK variant, was first identified in Missouri in February this year.