A more contagious coronavirus variant first discovered in Brazil was found in the United States for the first time.
The variant case, known as P.1, was found in a Minnesota resident who had recently traveled to Brazil, the state health department said.
The variant was detected through random tests that the state conducts to monitor new variants.
“We know that even as we work hard to defeat COVID-19, the virus continues to evolve like all viruses,” said Minnesota health commissioner Jan Malcolm. “This is another reason why we want to limit the transmission of COVID-19 – the fewer people who catch COVID-19, the fewer opportunities the virus has to evolve.
“The good news is that we can slow the spread of this variant and all variants of COVID-19 using the tried and tested prevention methods of wearing masks, maintaining social distance, staying at home when you’re sick and taking the test when appropriate ”. Malcolm added.
In addition to the Brazilian variants, new strains discovered in the United Kingdom and South Africa are also of concern.
The Brazilian variant is similar to the South African variant, which raises concerns that vaccines may be less effective against it.
Moderna said on Monday that its studies showed the vaccine is still effective against the South African variant, although neutralizing antibody levels are six times lower. Still, antibody levels were still above the level to offer protection, the company said.
The state health department said it is interviewing the person with the Brazilian variant again to obtain more information about his illness, travel and contacts, now that the case is confirmed. The person had previously been advised to isolate and quarantine any home contact as well, the state said.
The state said the Brazilian variant is considered more contagious, but it is unclear whether it causes more serious illness.
“These cases illustrate why it is so important to limit travel during a pandemic as much as possible,” said Minnesota epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield.