FINNEY COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH) – The South African variant of COVID-19 has been identified in Finney County, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). This is the first known case of the variant in the state.
The variant was determined by means of the entire genome sequencing conducted by the KDHE laboratories. The state health department said a case investigation was being conducted to determine how the person was infected with this specific variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as whether other people may have been exposed. No additional details are being released about the patient, including demographic data.
Variant B.1.351 was originally identified in South Africa in December and was found in 31 states and territories in the USA. At this point, it is not known that it causes more serious illnesses and it is not clear whether it spreads more easily than other deformations. Although this strain can reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, vaccines still provide strong protection against serious illness and death.
“We continue to encourage people to take precautions. This includes wearing a mask that fits comfortably on the nose and face and has multiple layers of fabric or thin layer masks with an additional fabric face mask to improve fit, ”said Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the KDHE. “Kansans must also follow the isolation and quarantine recommendations, practice physical distance, good hygiene, stay at home if he is sick and get the vaccine if he can.”
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease physician at the University of Kansas Health System, said the variant could be transmitted more easily and could be more fatal than the COVID-19 virus. But, at present, there is not much solid data.
“Sometimes, they are associated with increased transmissibility. There is also ongoing research on whether they cause worse illnesses, more serious illnesses, ”said Dr. Hawkinson. “At the moment, the jury is still decided on that. The investigation is ongoing. “
Although there are still many unknowns, initial data suggest that all three COVID-19 vaccines are effective in preventing severe cases of the variant. On Thursday, Pfizer said its vaccine performed well in South African clinical trials.
“When you’re vaccinated, you still have good efficacy and protection against serious illness and hospitalization, or death, even against these new variants,” said Hawkinson.
Another variant of concern, B.1.1.7, also known as the United Kingdom variant, was previously identified in Kansas. There are currently 76 cases identified in 14 counties. This variant was first reported in the United States in late December 2020. Evidence from the United Kingdom indicates that this variant spreads much more rapidly across the population and, therefore, can rapidly increase the number of hospitalizations and deaths. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
The test is available and free for all Kansans. To find a location near you, visit: www.gogettested.com/kansas.
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