The Oregon Health Authority said on Sunday that a third Oregonian tested positive for a new highly contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus.
Sunday’s case in Washington County comes just a day after the state announced a second Oregon case – in Yamhill County. The first two patients had no known travel history, suggesting that the virus is probably circulating in the state. However, the health authority said that this Washington County patient traveled abroad during the exposure period; did not specify where.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that the new variant, formally known as B.1.1.7, was found in about two dozen states.
The new variant spread quickly in the UK, leading health officials to conclude that it is more contagious. Authorities believe that existing vaccines are likely to be effective against this mutation.
Oregon identified its first case of the most contagious strain earlier this month, relating it to an official at the University of Portland.
After the peak last fall and during the holidays, the number of coronavirus cases in Oregon has dropped dramatically in the past 10 days. It is not clear whether the trend will continue if the new variant takes hold; authorities predict that the new strain may represent the majority of cases in the next two months.
Health officials hope to be able to reduce the spread by administering vaccines quickly before the new variant spreads.
Correction: This article initially reported that the last patient identified with the mutant strain had not traveled. The health authority says that person has a travel history.
– Mike Rogoway | [email protected] | Twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699