DENVER (KKTV) – The new variant COVID-19 discovered in the UK has arrived in Colorado.
On Tuesday, the Office of Governor Jared Polis announced that a man in his 20s is currently in isolation in Elbert County with COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7. The man has no travel history, according to the governor’s office. The variant has sparked concern worldwide because of the signs that it can spread more easily. Although there is no indication that it causes more serious illness, several European countries have restricted travel from the UK as a result.
The Colorado state laboratory was the first in the country to quickly identify the variant through sophisticated analysis of test samples, the statement said.
Currently approved vaccines are considered effective against this variant. As of Monday afternoon, more than 67,000 people in Colorado received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Tuesday, more than 326,000 cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Centennial State since the start of the pandemic with more than 2,000,000 tests.
An investigation is underway by state officials, including interviews to find contacts. The man is recovering and must remain isolated until released by public health officials.
“There is a lot we don’t know about this new variant of COVID-19, but scientists in the UK are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious. The health and safety of coloradanos is our highest priority and we will closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators. We are working to prevent the spread and contain the virus at all levels, ”said Governor Jared Polis. “I want to thank our scientists and medical professionals dedicated to their agile work and ask the coloradans to continue our efforts to prevent the transmission of diseases by wearing masks, staying two meters away when they meet with other people and interacting only with members of their immediate family. ”
More information about this recent discovery is expected to be released Wednesday morning by the governor’s office.
“The fact that Colorado first detected this virus in the country is proof of the sophistication of Colorado’s response and the talent of the scientist and CDPHE laboratory operations,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment from Colorado. “We are currently using all available tools to protect public health and to mitigate the spread of this variant.”
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