A COVID-19 superspread strain discovered for the first time in the United Kingdom was found in an Oahu resident with no travel history.
“It indicates that it came from somewhere in the community,” said epidemiologist Sarah Kemble at a news conference today. Close contact was also considered positive for the virus, although tests are still in progress to confirm the variant. “There is some transmission in the community, although small now. We haven’t detected many of these cases and we are looking for them ”.
Hawaiian health officials warned earlier this week that the UK’s 60% most contagious strain, known as B1.1.7, may be circulating on the islands, a potential setback in the race to vaccinate as many residents as possible before exposure to new strains.
The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division identified four samples that “exhibit a molecular track associated with the United Kingdom B1.1.7 (variant)”. DOH is still working to confirm the other samples.
In addition, health officials found nine cases of the Denmark L452R strain last week, although this variant has not yet spread more quickly or poses a greater risk than other mutations.
More communicable strains mean it can take 80% to 90% of the population to be vaccinated to achieve so-called herd immunity, rather than the state’s 60% to 70% target, Kemble told reporters earlier this week.
“We know that there is likely to be a higher vaccination coverage needed to reach the tipping point where we interrupt transmission through vaccination in the community,” she said. “It is really a matter of redoubling our efforts. This just underscores the importance of getting the vaccine and getting people to come to get the vaccines. “
Health officials reported 101 new coronavirus infections, bringing the state total since the pandemic began to 26,286 cases. There have been no new COVID-19 deaths reported, with deaths across the state remaining at 416. The number of coronavirus deaths in the USA has exceeded 456,900. Of the total infection count in the state, 1,342 cases are considered active.
The UK variant may spread more aggressively, so residents should be vigilant, said Lt. Governor Josh Green.
“Being in control of what we can control, and that is our behavior. One of our weapons is vaccines, ”said Green, adding that the state administered 189,446 vaccines until Thursday and is distributing about 50,000 doses on average per week. On March 1, the target is to get about 350,000 shots and on April 1, 550,000, he said. “We are … in a race against time to protect our kupunas and all of our people in the state. That’s how we beat COVID. “
Tools for fighting variants have not changed, including wearing masks, social detachment, hand washing and staying home when sick, said Governor David Ige.
“We want to emphasize that variant B1.17 is different. As we saw in the UK, it can spread and quickly erase all the progress we’ve made here in the state, but we know how to stop this and other variants, ”he said, asking the public not to attend in-person Super Bowl parties that can be over-spread. “We know what actions and precautions we need to take to slow the spread. We are not powerless in the fight against this variant or the spread of COVID-19. “