Variant COVID-19: As the variant emerges in Harris County, doctors say the virus must be controlled

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – There is a new warning about the importance of COVID-19’s safety precautions as a new, more contagious variant has been confirmed in Harris County.

On Thursday, Harris County Public Health announced the discovery of variant B of COVID-19. 1.1.7. It is the same variant discovered in the United Kingdom and the first known case in the state of Texas.

“The variant has the potential to throw fuel for airplanes in an already dangerous situation,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “Please don’t disregard this.”

The patient is a 30- to 40-year-old man who lives in southwest Harris County. Authorities say he is isolated and his contacts are being tracked. Officials also said he had no recent travel history.

READ MORE: 1st case of the most contagious COVID-19 variant found in Harris County

“The fact that this person, who had the variant, does not have a travel history indicates that he is present here in the community,” explained Dr. Luis Ostrosky, professor of infectious diseases at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

Ostrosky said other variants have been in circulation since last spring. This is drawing attention because it is more contagious, but it is also not worse, according to Dr. Wesley Long.

Long is a clinical pathologist and medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist.

“The important thing for people to know, even though it is more contagious, the disease is not more serious,” explained Long. “The results in patients are not worse and there is nothing in particular different that we need to do to prevent the spread of this. If we wear masks, social distance, avoid large meetings, do these things, we can prevent the spread of this virus in its tracks, regardless of mutations. “

In addition, time is of the essence, adds Ostrosky.

While the current COVID-19 vaccine is believed to work on the variant, he said the virus should be prevented from further mutating.

“If we leave the situation unchecked, we will end up in a situation like the flu, where we will probably need a new vaccine each year to cover the strain that year,” he said. “This is almost a historic opportunity now. If we control the virus, it won’t be a problem, but if we keep doing the things we are doing, we can end up in that situation.”

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