Dr. Traxler: We must all remain dedicated to stopping the spread – wear a mask, stay six feet away
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 30, 2021
COLUMBIA, SC – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today announced the detection of a case associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant that first appeared in the United Kingdom.
Viruses are constantly changing and new versions are called variants. Variants are closely monitored for their ability to spread more quickly or cause more disease. South Carolina public health authorities were notified on Friday by the MAKO Medical Laboratory of a sample from South Carolina that was determined to be the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the UK.
Experts agree that existing vaccines work to protect us from this variant, even if we don’t know how effective they are. At the moment, there is no conclusive evidence to prove that variant B.1.1.7 causes more serious diseases.
“The arrival of the second variant of SARS-CoV-2 in our state is yet another important reminder for all South Carolinaians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Acting Director of Public Health. “Although more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still very limited. We must all remain dedicated to the fight, doing the right things to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. “
The case, an adult from the Lowcountry region, has a history of international travel. To protect your privacy, no additional information will be disclosed.
Variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in many countries and in 30 states with 434 cases in total having been reported in the US as of 7 pm on Friday. Earlier this week, DHEC announced that two cases of a variant first discovered in South Africa were reported in South Carolina. Both variants first detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa spread more quickly and easily. than most SARS-CoV-2 variants.
The three significant variants that are spreading in the world today, originating in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, have emerged independently and have different characteristics. Most variants do not change the behavior of the virus and many disappear.
“We know that viruses mutate to live and live to mutate”, Dr. Traxler said. “This is why it is essential that we vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible and each of us do our part using a mask, staying two meters away, avoiding crowds, washing our hands, doing the test frequently and, when our time comes, vaccinated. Science tells us that these actions work to prevent the virus from spreading, no matter the strain. “
DHEC, in coordination with the CDC, will continue to pay attention to the COVID-19 variants. Public health authorities will provide more information as it becomes available.
Safe and effective vaccines and following public health guidelines are like winning the fight against COVID-19. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, go to scdhec.gov/vaxfacts. For the latest information on COVID-19, go to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
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