MADISON, Wis. – Health officials have confirmed that a more contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the UK has reached Wisconsin.
The variant, referred to as B.1.1.7, was identified on Tuesday, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. There is no evidence that the new variant causes more serious illness or risk of death.
“We already know that COVID-19 is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets and, with this new variant looking even more infectious, taking preventive measures like wearing a mask and moving away physically are even more important,” said the DHS designated secretary. , Andrea Palm. .
Officials said the variant was identified through routine surveillance and genome sequencing.
“Mutations between viruses are very common. It is not uncommon – in fact, it is expected. As time passes in the pandemic and the virus continues to replicate on a large scale, the virus’s genetic sequence changes, ”said medical director Dr. Ryan Westergaard.
The variant was first found in the United States, in Colorado, about two weeks ago.
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