On January 15, the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) confirmed the first case of the UK variant in the state. The patient is a 25-44 year old man from Salt Lake County who tested positive last month, who did not travel outside Utah and showed only mild symptoms. The UK variant was identified through ongoing genetic sequencing at the Utah Public Health Laboratory of positive COVID-19 samples.
“We predicted that we would find this strain in Utah” Angela Dunn, MD, UDOH state epidemiologist, said in a statement. “We know that this strain is more transmissible than previous variants of COVID-19 and our hospitals continue to operate close to or above capacity. So now more than ever, Utah residents need to wear masks, practice physical distance and avoid great meetings. ” And for more ways to stay safe, stop doing it immediately to avoid the new COVID strain, doctors warn.