SALT LAKE CITY – A much more infectious mutation in COVID-19 has been confirmed by state health officials in Utah.
The “UK variant” of COVID-19 was found in a Salt Lake County man between the ages of 25 and 44 who had not traveled outside Utah recently, the Utah Public Health Laboratory said. The man had mild symptoms and variant B117 was found in a genetic sequence from a COVID-19 test.
It was something the Utah Department of Health was anticipating. The man involved is not believed to be the only one with her in the state.
“If we detect this quickly, since we were looking for it, it indicates that it is more widespread than this individual,” said Dr. Kelly Oakeson, director of the state public health laboratory.
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State epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said that what makes this specific strain different is that it is much more contagious. The UK variant spreads in the same way as other forms of COVID-19 (via droplets and air), but it is more infectious.
“What has changed is the ease with which the virus causes the disease. Therefore, for each individual infected with this new variant, they are able to pass it on to more individuals,” she said.
This has the potential to further burden Utah hospitals, which have been operating close to their maximum capacity since Christmas, when many disregarded health guidelines and came together. But the good news is that the vaccines available work against the UK variant.
“Now, more than ever, we really need to practice good public health by wearing a face mask, staying at home when we’re sick, avoiding large meetings and getting as far away as possible,” Dunn said.
The state is now in a race to try to vaccinate more people as the new UK variant spreads. Recently, FOX 13 reported that the Utah Department of Health withdrew vaccine doses from hospitals, who spent the past month inoculating frontline health workers to give them long-term care for vulnerable adults. This leaves lower-tier workers with no chance for now.
“This is a difficult time to have a more contagious strain, given that it is winter, people are more indoors, the holiday season is over and people are frankly tired with all the public health recommendations we have made,” said Dr. Dunn. “This, in combination with an insufficient vaccine for everyone, is worrying. But I will say that the vaccine gives us hope.”
Governor Spencer Cox ordered that vaccination efforts be accelerated in Utah. He really has offered the Utah National Guard to help local health departments.
The Utah Department of Health said it would not recommend further restrictions to the state. Governor Cox maintained a statewide masking mandate and health orders limiting capacity in restaurants and businesses.
Reacting to reports that the federal government may not have a reserve of COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Cox’s office told FOX 13 in a statement: “We continue to work with administrations coming and going to get more clarity about the amount and pace of vaccines arriving in our state. We hope to see an increase in the quantity of vaccines soon. “
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