CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC / AP / CNN) – The three neighboring states of South Carolina have already reported at least one case of a variant strain of the new coronavirus that health officials believe is more contagious.
North Carolina officials reported the first case in their state on Saturday. Authorities say variant B.1.1.7 was identified in a sample from an adult in County Mecklenburg.
The Center for Disease Control tracking map, last updated on Friday, shows that no cases of the variant have been reported in South Carolina, but with the new North Carolina case and cases previously reported in Georgia and Florida, all three of the state’s closest neighbors in Palmetto cases.
Florida, as of Friday, had the second highest number of cases, 50, behind California’s 72. Georgia reported six cases.
The first case of the variant strain in the state of Washington was also announced on Saturday.
Fauci: We need to assume that the COVID-19 variant can be more deadly
Dr. Anthony Fauci offered a bleak warning early on Sunday about the coronavirus variant strain first identified in the UK.
Fauci, who is President Joe Biden’s chief medical advisor on coronavirus, said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” program that the variant could be more dangerous and deadly.
“We need to assume now that what has been circulating predominantly in the UK has a certain degree of increase in what we call virulence, that is, the virus’s power to cause more damage, including death,” he said.
Fauci said he made his assessment after analyzing new data from British medical researchers.
So far, it appears that current vaccines must be effective against the variant.
Experts say they hope the new variant will reinforce the importance of social detachment, hand washing and wearing masks.
Copyright 2021 WCSC / CNN. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.