BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) today announced that the new strain variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus first detected in the UK has been identified by genomic sequencing in positive samples from two individuals in North Dakota. Both cases were identified by the NDDoH Public Health Laboratory.
The results were confirmed on Tuesday, February 16. One individual had recently returned from a domestic trip before he became ill and the second individual was a close contact with the first. Both were interviewed by contact trackers when their initial positive results were received and close contacts were identified.
An additional case is suspected to be the UK variant and is currently under investigation.
“Surveillance tests for the variant are underway at the North Dakota Public Health Laboratory and in collaboration with other diagnostic laboratories,” said Dr. Christie Massen, Director of the Public Health Laboratory. Surveillance consists of genomic sequencing in portions of samples positive for COVID-19.
“This variant strain is considered to be more contagious, which reinforces the importance of continuing to wear a mask, staying away from physical activity, staying at home when sick, getting tested and being quarantined when exposed to someone with a positive test,” said Kirby Kruger, Director of Disease Control at NDDoH. “Getting the vaccine when it’s your turn is another great way to prevent the spread of the variant strain.”
Preliminary studies have indicated that the COVID-19 vaccines currently in use are effective against the United Kingdom variant strain.
This variant strain of the virus was first detected in the UK in September 2020 and was found in several countries around the world, including the United States. To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 1,173 cases in 41 states. For more information, see CDC: new variants of COVID-19.