The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the first case identified in the state of a new variant of COVID-19 most easily spread in the Greater New Orleans area, officials said.
SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7., Which is often referred to as the “UK variant” due to its prevalence in the UK, spreads more easily than other viral strains in the country, according to authorities.
Ochsner Health System, the largest in Louisiana, said it will delay vaccine appointments for thousands of patients after receiving zero new doses …
LDH conducted an investigation and contact screening to identify those in close contact with the infected person, who is said to have a history of traveling outside the state. The variant, which officials say is likely to be circulating in Louisiana, has been detected in at least 15 other states.
“It is urgent that everyone double the mitigation measures that we know to be effective in reducing the spread of the virus,” said Governor John Bel Edwards in a statement. “It was always a matter of time before this new strain of the virus arrived in Louisiana, which is why our state health experts have been monitoring the cases and working with the CDC to prepare.”
LDH has been working with the national SARS-CoV-2 strain surveillance program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in preparation for this variant strain, sending biweekly samples for sequencing since November 2020.
The UK variant has not been shown to cause more serious illnesses, authorities added, and health experts believe that current COVID-19 vaccines are effective against this strain.
Health experts advise people to continue to wash their hands, to wear masks and to distance themselves socially to prevent the spread of this more contagious variant.
“There is no such thing as taking it too seriously,” said Edwards. “Even with the vaccines available, controlling our behavior with measures that have been proven to help keep us safe is our best defense against the spread of the virus to our family, friends and across our communities.”