Scientists in Los Angeles are trying to find out whether the rapidly spreading coronavirus strain, which fuels a large increase in cases in the United Kingdom, is behind a similar increase in California.
The mutation is up to 70% more contagious, but it no longer looks deadly.
COVID-19 is out of control in Los Angeles County and other parts of California, despite blockades and other efforts to stem the spread, with the state passing 2 million cases on Christmas Eve.
Authorities blamed the increase in travel and holiday season, but they also point to more mundane activities, like shopping, as possible causes for continued spread, and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is wondering if the new variant of the virus could be behind the huge numbers.
“It happened in a devastating and fast way. Everyone I talked to said that this acceleration was beyond any model and any expectation, so people ask ‘What broke?’ and I have to think it’s part of the tension that existed, ”said Garcetti in an interview with The Los Angeles Times.
LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer said a public health laboratory is starting to do gene sequencing to test virus samples collected there, but it will take about a week to get the results.