CONNECTICUT – The state Department of Public Health has identified 21 other cases of the coronavirus variant in the United Kingdom. The new cases bring the total of variant cases identified in Connecticut to 63.
The test samples were collected between 3 and 17 February and involved people aged between 5 and 80 years.
People infected with the variant are from the following cities:
- Bridgeport (1)
- Guilford (1)
- Hamden (1)
- Meriden (1)
- New Haven (12)
- Stamford (2)
- Wallingford (1)
- West Haven (2)
The UK variant is believed to spread more easily and quickly than other variants of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study in the United Kingdom found that the variant carried an increased risk of death compared to others, but additional studies are needed to confirm the results, according to the CDC.
Connecticut reported 787 new cases of coronavirus on Friday and a daily rate of positive tests of 2.22%.
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations continued to decline with a drop from 34 patients to 451 hospitalized for the virus.
Another eight deaths were reported Friday, bringing the state total to 7,622.