JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) – The Missouri Department of Health and Services for Third Parties reports the first case of a variant of COVID-19 in the state.
Variant B.1.1.7 was identified in a sample from an adult in Marion County.
Missouri DHSS shared the following announcement on Saturday night:
“The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is reporting the first identification in a Missouri resident of the COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom in September 2020 and started to be reported in the United States in December. Variant B.1.1.7 was identified in a sample of an adult living in Marion County. To protect the individual’s privacy, no additional information will be disclosed about the patient.
The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that 611 cases were reported to the CDC in the United States on February 4, with 33 states reporting cases so far.
“We have been notified today about this first variant B.1.1.7 case in Missouri, and we are working closely with the local public health agency to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken in relation to contact tracking and reporting protocols. isolation and quarantine, ”said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS.
According to the CDC, this particular variant is associated with increased transmissibility, which means that it can spread more quickly. The first reports found no evidence to suggest that this variant has any impact on the severity of the disease or the effectiveness of the vaccine.
DHSS continues to advise individuals to wear a mask, practice good hand washing and stay away physically and to stay home if they do not feel well. If there are any symptoms or if exposure to COVID-19 is suspected, DHSS encourages individuals to get tested.
Although in limited supply, the COVID-19 vaccine is now available to healthcare professionals, residents and long-term care workers, emergency personnel and people with specific comorbidities or who are 65 or older. Learn more at www.MOStopsCovid.com. “
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