COVID-19 in Pa: Philadelphia woman diagnosed with variant of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – A variant of COVID-19 that was first identified in the UK was discovered in a woman from the Philadelphia region.

The news was announced after an investigation by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Bucks County Health Department.

Authorities say the patient, a woman in her 50s, started showing symptoms during the last week of December and was hospitalized for a brief period.

The woman, who lives in Philadelphia and Bucks County, is currently recovering.

Both health departments say they are working together to track contacts.

UK scientists say there is no evidence that this variant causes more serious illnesses, but it may be able to spread more easily.

Philadelphia health commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said that while it has not yet been proven that the variant is more contagious than others, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appears to show that this is the case.

“We are concerned that she is present in Philadelphia. Everyone in the area should interpret this information as a reminder to be even more consistent when wearing masks and keeping distance from others,” said Farley.

This is the second case of the variant found in Pennsylvania. In the first case, a patient from Dauphin County had mild symptoms.