A sign outside the UW medical research facility in South Lake Union on December 10, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Karen Ducey / Getty Images)
The Washington State Department of Health, along with the Snohomish Health District and the UW Medicine Virology Lab found the first cases of variant B.1.1.7 of COVID-19 – first detected in the United Kingdom – in test samples from the state.
The UW lab detected two known casess of the variant in specimens collected from two residents of Snohomish County. The laboratory tracks more than 1,000 samples between December 25 and January 20 to detect mutations and confirmed the variant by sequencing the complete viral genome.
“We thought that this variant of concern was here and now we know that it is here. It was a great team effort at the UW Medicine Virology Laboratory and it was necessary to develop several new rapid tests to detect and confirm it, ”said Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant professor at the UW Medicine Clinical Virology Laboratory. .
These are the first B.1.1.7 variants detected in the state, but other cases are likely to exist.
“The Snohomish Health District had already instituted standard case investigation, isolation and contact tracking before finding out about these cases,” said Dr. Chris Spitters, health officer for the Snohomish Health District. “The containment protocols are no different for variants B.1.1.7 than for all other cases of COVID-19. A follow-up investigation is underway to learn more about these cases and the individuals who tested positive for this strain. “
Variant B.1.1.7 was first detected globally in September 2020. It spreads more easily and quickly than other variants.
“While finding variant B.1.1.7 is worrying, we knew it was only a matter of time before we found evidence of it here in Washington. That said, the health and safety of all Washington residents remains our top priority, ”said Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah. “Now that this variant has been found, it stresses the absolute importance of doubling all preventive measures to protect the inhabitants of Washington against COVID-19.”
This is a developing story.