Pennsylvania confirms its first case of the most contagious COVID variant

Pennsylvania’s first case of a more contagious version of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been confirmed in Dauphin County, where the Harrisburg state capital is located.

The case was related to travel and the patient experienced mild symptoms while recovering at home, state health department officials said in a press release on Thursday morning, announcing the detection of the variant strain, and during a news conference at the end of the day. Others who may have been exposed to the patient in Dauphin County were notified and monitored through contact tracking.

The new strain, called SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, is among the mutations monitored by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that this specific variant first appeared in the UK in September and in other countries since last month.

The CDC says that the strain’s mutations cause it to spread more efficiently and faster. It does not prevent the COVID-19 vaccine from working.

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said the state has sent about a dozen random samples to the CDC twice a week since November to look at cases with new variants.

At a midday press conference, she said the variant’s presence is not unexpected and will likely appear in all 50 states.

“There is no evidence at this point that it is, for example, the dominant lineage anywhere in the United States, but of course, nationally, we will be watching for that,” said Levine.

Health officials are asking residents to continue safe pandemic practices, such as wearing masks, washing hands and avoiding meetings.

UPDATE (12h51): This story was updated with comments from a press conference with Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.

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Steve Novak can be reached at [email protected]. Sara K. Satullo can be contacted at [email protected].