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Health

South African COVID-19 variant found in Wisconsin

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The South African COVID-19 variant was identified in Wisconsin on Thursday. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in WisconsinThe newest variant, referred to as B.1.351, was first discovered to be circulating in South Africa in samples dating back to October 2020. Researchers have found that this new strain, spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. It is not yet known if this variant has any impact on disease severity. The state also reports 26 total cases of the UK variant, which was discovered in Wisconsin on Jan. 12. “It is important to remember that new variants are expected to occur over time. Here in Wisconsin, whole genome sequencing of positive specimens from COVID-19 cases is done on a regular basis, said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said in a news release. “Because these variants may spread more easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, mask wearing, staying home, physically distancing, and washing your hands continues to be crucial.”Experts with UW Health said viruses like COVID-19 are like any other living organism which wants to survive. “The virus wants to be able to infect as many people as it can. So it will select these variants that make it more transmissible, so it can get into more people,” said Dr. William Hartman, principle investigator for the UW Health AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trial. Hartman said the variant mutations happen in the spike protein of the cell, which is worrisome, because the spike protein is what COVID-19 vaccines target. It means the variant could make the vaccines less effective. Hartman said it’s why vaccine companies have been developing boosters and why all of us must remain vigilant. “It’s highly possible that (COVID-19) is always going to be around. It’ll be under control at some point. We’ll have better control of it, but it is likely to always be around,” Hartman said. “This is a race right now. It’s vaccines versus the variants. If we can vaccinate more people more quickly, you give that virus fewer people for it to infect.”Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

MADISON, Wis. —

The South African COVID-19 variant was identified in Wisconsin on Thursday.

Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin

The newest variant, referred to as B.1.351, was first discovered to be circulating in South Africa in samples dating back to October 2020.

Researchers have found that this new strain, spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2. It is not yet known if this variant has any impact on disease severity.

The state also reports 26 total cases of the UK variant, which was discovered in Wisconsin on Jan. 12.

“It is important to remember that new variants are expected to occur over time. Here in Wisconsin, whole genome sequencing of positive specimens from COVID-19 cases is done on a regular basis, said DHS Deputy Secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk said in a news release. “Because these variants may spread more easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, mask wearing, staying home, physically distancing, and washing your hands continues to be crucial.”

Experts with UW Health said viruses like COVID-19 are like any other living organism which wants to survive.

“The virus wants to be able to infect as many people as it can. So it will select these variants that make it more transmissible, so it can get into more people,” said Dr. William Hartman, principle investigator for the UW Health AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trial.

Hartman said the variant mutations happen in the spike protein of the cell, which is worrisome, because the spike protein is what COVID-19 vaccines target. It means the variant could make the vaccines less effective.

Hartman said it’s why vaccine companies have been developing boosters and why all of us must remain vigilant.

“It’s highly possible that (COVID-19) is always going to be around. It’ll be under control at some point. We’ll have better control of it, but it is likely to always be around,” Hartman said. “This is a race right now. It’s vaccines versus the variants. If we can vaccinate more people more quickly, you give that virus fewer people for it to infect.”

Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISN

Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.
Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube



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Health

2 more South African COVID-19 variant cases identified in Maryland

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(Video above from Saturday, when the state’s first confirmed case of the South African variant was confirmed.)ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Health officials identified more cases of the South African COVID-19 B.1.351 variant in Maryland.Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed two additional cases of the South African variant in Maryland. The two individuals, who recently traveled abroad, live in Montgomery County. Contact tracing is underway and close contacts are isolating.The first case of the South African variant in Maryland was confirmed Saturday.State officials said the B.1.351 variant has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of death when compared to other variants. The variant is believed to be more transmissible than other strains.According to the governor’s office, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of available vaccines against the B.1.351 variant; however, initial evidence suggests that vaccines are still likely to be protective against the variant. It is also expected that currently available diagnostic tests will detect the B.1.351 variant.”State health officials are closely monitoring the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Saturday. “We strongly encourage Marylanders to practice extra caution to limit the additional risk of transmission associated with this variant. Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing and physical distancing.”The B.1.351 variant was initially detected in South Africa. It was first identified in the United States on Thursday through two cases in South Carolina.Viruses constantly change, or mutate, and new variants of viruses are expected to occur over time.The B.1.351 variant is the second variant of COVID-19 identified in Maryland. The first variant identified in Maryland was B.1.1.7, commonly known as “the UK variant,” which MDH announced that it identified on Jan. 12. Seven total cases of B.1.1.7 have been identified in Maryland since that time.

(Video above from Saturday, when the state’s first confirmed case of the South African variant was confirmed.)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Health officials identified more cases of the South African COVID-19 B.1.351 variant in Maryland.

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that state health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed two additional cases of the South African variant in Maryland. The two individuals, who recently traveled abroad, live in Montgomery County. Contact tracing is underway and close contacts are isolating.

The first case of the South African variant in Maryland was confirmed Saturday.

State officials said the B.1.351 variant has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of death when compared to other variants. The variant is believed to be more transmissible than other strains.

According to the governor’s office, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of available vaccines against the B.1.351 variant; however, initial evidence suggests that vaccines are still likely to be protective against the variant. It is also expected that currently available diagnostic tests will detect the B.1.351 variant.

“State health officials are closely monitoring the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement Saturday. “We strongly encourage Marylanders to practice extra caution to limit the additional risk of transmission associated with this variant. Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing and physical distancing.”

The B.1.351 variant was initially detected in South Africa. It was first identified in the United States on Thursday through two cases in South Carolina.

Viruses constantly change, or mutate, and new variants of viruses are expected to occur over time.

The B.1.351 variant is the second variant of COVID-19 identified in Maryland. The first variant identified in Maryland was B.1.1.7, commonly known as “the UK variant,” which MDH announced that it identified on Jan. 12. Seven total cases of B.1.1.7 have been identified in Maryland since that time.

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US

South African COVID-19 variant case identified in Maryland

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Health officials identified a case of the South African COVID-19 B.1.351 variant in Maryland.The case announced Saturday involves an adult living in the Baltimore metro area who has no recent international travel. Comprehensive contact tracing is underway, state officials said.The new variant’s presence in Maryland was confirmed by the Maryland Department of Health in consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.State officials said the B.1.351 variant has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of death when compared to other variants. The variant is believed to be more transmissible than other strains.According to the governor’s office, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of available vaccines against the B.1.351 variant; however, initial evidence suggests that vaccines are still likely to be protective against the variant. It is also expected that currently available diagnostic tests will detect the B.1.351 variant.”State health officials are closely monitoring the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. “We strongly encourage Marylanders to practice extra caution to limit the additional risk of transmission associated with this variant. Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing and physical distancing.”The B.1.351 variant was initially detected in South Africa. It was first identified in the United States on Thursday through two cases in South Carolina.Viruses constantly change, or mutate, and new variants of viruses are expected to occur over time.The B.1.351 variant is the second variant of COVID-19 identified in Maryland. The first variant identified in Maryland was B.1.1.7, commonly known as “the UK variant,” which MDH announced that it identified on Jan. 12. Seven total cases of B.1.1.7 have been identified in Maryland since that time.This report will be updated.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

Health officials identified a case of the South African COVID-19 B.1.351 variant in Maryland.

The case announced Saturday involves an adult living in the Baltimore metro area who has no recent international travel. Comprehensive contact tracing is underway, state officials said.

The new variant’s presence in Maryland was confirmed by the Maryland Department of Health in consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

State officials said the B.1.351 variant has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of death when compared to other variants. The variant is believed to be more transmissible than other strains.

According to the governor’s office, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of available vaccines against the B.1.351 variant; however, initial evidence suggests that vaccines are still likely to be protective against the variant. It is also expected that currently available diagnostic tests will detect the B.1.351 variant.

“State health officials are closely monitoring the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state,” Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. “We strongly encourage Marylanders to practice extra caution to limit the additional risk of transmission associated with this variant. Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing and physical distancing.”

The B.1.351 variant was initially detected in South Africa. It was first identified in the United States on Thursday through two cases in South Carolina.

Viruses constantly change, or mutate, and new variants of viruses are expected to occur over time.

The B.1.351 variant is the second variant of COVID-19 identified in Maryland. The first variant identified in Maryland was B.1.1.7, commonly known as “the UK variant,” which MDH announced that it identified on Jan. 12. Seven total cases of B.1.1.7 have been identified in Maryland since that time.

This report will be updated.

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