The highly contagious variant first identified in the UK is probably responsible for up to 30% of Covid-19 infections in the United States, White House chief medical advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said on Friday.
The variant, called B.1.1.7, has been reported in at least 94 countries and detected in 50 jurisdictions in the United States, Fauci said during a press conference at the White House on the pandemic, adding that the numbers are likely to be growing.
The United Kingdom first identified strain B.1.1.7, which appears to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, last fall. Since then, it has spread throughout the world, including the United States, Fauci said. American researchers identified 5,567 cases through genetic sequencing by Thursday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. US health officials say the variant could become the dominant strain in the United States by the end of this month or early April.
New variants are of particular concern to public health officials, as they may become more resistant to treatment with antibodies and vaccines. Health officials, including Fauci, have asked Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible, saying the virus cannot mutate unless it infects its hosts and replicates.
Public health officials and Americans can combat the variant by doing two things, said Fauci. “Vaccinate as many people as quickly and expeditiously as possible with a vaccine that we know works against this variant and, finally, implement the public health measures that we talk about all the time … masking, physical detachment and avoiding congregational environments, mainly indoors. “
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that the variant is associated with a 64% higher risk of dying from Covid-19 than previous strains. Researchers at the University of Exeter and the University of Bristol analyzed data from more than 100,000 patients in the UK between October 1 and January 28.
“We are in a position now where we have a plateau in about 53,000 cases a day,” said Fauci. “The concern is that across the country there are several states, cities and regions that are backing off on some of the mitigation methods that we have been talking about: the removal of mask mandates, the retreat to essentially non-public health measures being implemented. “
Fauci’s comments on B.1.1.7 came a day after he faced Republican senator Rand Paul over masks at an audience.
Paul said people shouldn’t have to wear masks after being vaccinated because there is a “virtually 0% chance” of receiving Covid-19. “Isn’t it just theater?” the junior senator from Kentucky, an ophthalmologist, asked during a hearing from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
In response, Fauci said that the emergence of new highly contagious variants poses a threat to people who have antibodies. “I can only declare for the record that masks are not theater,” said Fauci. “I totally disagree with you.”