TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY – The Tompkins County Health Department discovered the UK variant of coronavirus in a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Tompkins County. The person is isolated, the contact investigation has been completed and no close contact has been identified – the person had recently traveled and was already in quarantine upon return.
According to the Department of Health, there is no evidence that this strain is more dangerous or lethal to people than the original strain of the coronavirus, which closed the United States for almost a year. However, it is more contagious.
“Although this variant is more contagious, we are confident that we detected the positive case immediately and the individual had no close contact,” said Director of Public Health Frank Kruppa. “We all still have a role in preventing the spread and we must continue to wear masks, avoid crowds and keep our distance from each other.”
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Here is more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/transmission/variant.html.
The case was discovered through Cornell University’s COVID-19 testing laboratory and is sequenced for the UK strain when they identify themselves as a close contact or after a relevant UK trip. The first case was discovered in the United States on January 4, 2021, and subsequent cases have also been found in New York.
In addition, another person died of coronavirus in Tompkins County, the 19th since the pandemic began.
Daily Table Update: 41 new cases, one resident’s death today. #COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/90Sj92Ijeh
– Tompkins County Health Department (@TompkinsHealth) January 15, 2021