MADISON, Wisconsin – Public health officials in Dane County say a major recent outbreak of COVID-19 in a daycare center is being linked to the so-called “UK variant” of the virus.
In a statement, Public Health Madison & Dane County did not identify the daycare center, but said contact tracking revealed that the disease spread rapidly among children, parents and daycare staff. On Monday, 21 children and workers tested positive for COVID-19, along with 16 family members of these children or workers.
Most of the infected children had mild symptoms, according to health officials. They say the outbreak underscores the importance of getting children in daycare centers and schools to be tested for the virus.
“We know that variants are more infectious and younger children cannot be vaccinated yet, so this is an important reminder that we should all continue to take precautions. Get tested if you have any symptoms, get tested on your children if they are showing symptoms and get vaccinated as soon as you can. Vaccines are highly effective against serious illness and death from COVID-19 infection, even with the most prevalent variants, ”said PHMDC director Janel Heinrich.
Last week, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services was able to confirm at least 139 cases of coronavirus B.1.1.7 “UK variant”. As the number of variants grows, the state is now tracking these cases on the DHS website.
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