The so-called “South African” variant of the COVID-19 virus was first detected in a Connecticut patient, according to the Department of Public Health.
Variant B.1.351 was found in a Fairfield County resident between the ages of 60-70 who did not travel recently. The person is hospitalized outside the state, DPH said.
Connecticut was notified of the diagnosis by health officials in New York.
Variant B.1.351 is more contagious than the original COVID-19 virus. This strain of the virus was first detected in South Africa in October 2020 and was first discovered in the United States in late January 2021, according to a press release.
“Seeing another variant in our state reminds us once again of the seriousness of this pandemic and reinforces the need to take all the necessary precautions that have proven successful in the past year. The virus does not recognize state borders and certainly does not recognize international borders, which means that the responsibility is for all of us to do what we can on a personal basis to mitigate the spread, ”said Governor Ned Lamont.
With the discovery of the new variant B.1.351, as well as 42 confirmed cases in Connecticut of variant B.1.1.7 that were first detected in the UK, health officials urged residents to remain vigilant when it comes to wearing masks. and distance social activities.
Correction (February 15, 2021 4:21 pm) An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information from DPH that variant B.1.351 caused more serious illnesses than the original strain of COVID-19. DPH now says that the CDC’s guidance does not show evidence that it causes more serious illness.