HELENA – Montana health officials confirmed the first known cases of a variant of the COVID-19 virus in the state.
According to the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), the three tests in County Gallatin showed signs of the United Kingdom, or United Kingdom, a variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Full interview: Jim Murphy, DPHHS Administrator – Public Health and Safety Division
Matt Kelley, Gallatin City County Health Officer, provides the following statement:
We are aware that the samples are from Gallatin County and are working with the state health department to investigate the origin and timing of these samples. It should come as no surprise that a variant strain of the virus is in Montana. Well over 40 other states have identified the virus, so it stands to reason that it is also in Montana. This is a good reminder that this pandemic is not over and the importance of everyone doing everything in their power to help us delay transmission. This means practicing physical detachment whenever possible, wearing face covers in public environments, staying at home when we are sick, washing our hands and taking the vaccine when one is available.
“We are working with Gallatin County to find out a little more about these cases, but what we know so far is that these people were quite young and everyone has recovered,” said Jim Murphy, administrator of the Department of Health and Public Safety Division.
The Center for Disease Control says the UK variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first identified in the fall of 2020. Montana is the 46th state to confirm the virus in the U.S.
“So it is not a single thing, but at least our first,” noted Murphy.
The UK variant first appeared in the United States in December 2020. According to the CDC, this variant is believed to spread more easily and quickly than other strains of the coronavirus.
“I think the good news now is that the UK variant has been around for some time. We know a little more about that, ”noted Murphy. “It doesn’t seem to cause more serious illnesses. There is some evidence that it can be a little more contagious or transmissible, but we also have very good evidence that the vaccine addresses this variant very well. “
The CDC says that studies indicate that vaccines currently available produce antibodies that recognize these variants and more studies are underway to investigate the level of protection provided by current vaccines.
Visit the CDC website for more details on the COVID-19 variants.
*** UPDATE 03/03/2021 17:37: This article has been updated with additional information. ***