On Thursday, February 18, Public Health Madison and Dane County announced that a case of COVID-19 caused by a variant of the virus called B.1.1.7 was first identified in Dane County. It was detected by a laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The variant, which experts believe to be the most contagious, was discovered in December in the United Kingdom, after circulating there since September. It is one of several known versions of the virus, notable for mutations that can allow it to spread more quickly and easily from person to person. B.1.1.7 had already been found elsewhere in Wisconsin, and at least 42 states have confirmed infections involving worrying variants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There is no evidence at this time that variant B.1.1.7 causes more serious illness, although a UK report suggests that it may increase the risk of death from COVID-19. More studies are underway. The CDC notes that more transmissible versions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus may put more pressure on healthcare systems due to increased hospitalizations.
There is no evidence at this time that the current vaccines authorized for use against COVID-19 are less effective against variant B.1.1.7.
However, a more contagious version of the virus requires greater vigilance from people to protect themselves and others during the pandemic, continuing to practice measures such as limiting social gatherings, using well-adjusted facial covers and physical distance.
The best way to prevent the spread of variants like B.1.1.7 is for everyone to do their utmost to follow public health guidelines:
- Limit personal meetings.
- Keep at least 6 feet away from other people.
- Always use a tight-fitting facial cover with at least two layers when you are around people outside your home and when on campus. For more information on current campus facial coverage policies, visit: go.wisc.edu/fpm-face-coverings. The CDC also offers a guide for choosing facial coverings: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings
- Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Carefully follow isolation and quarantine guidelines in case of infection or exposure.
- Test regularly according to the expanded testing protocols for the spring semester.
- Watch for symptoms (fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue and others) and report them to healthcare professionals if they arise.
- Get vaccinated when the vaccine is available to you and encourage others to do the same.
UW – Madison worked closely with federal, state and local public health agencies to observe and prepare for the arrival of these variants, and state and university laboratories continue to conduct surveillance and genomic sequencing for these particular types of viruses. Laboratories are able to sequence a subset of positive cases in the state; about 5 percent of samples in Dane County are being sequenced.
The contact tracking process has been improved to detect possible variant cases. Positive test samples from people who have traveled internationally or who have been in close contact with international travelers are sent to laboratories equipped to sequence the viral DNA and identify the specific version of the virus involved. Viruses are constantly mutating, and UW labs – Madison have identified hundreds of variations of SARS-CoV-2 among Wisconsin cases – although the vast majority have not caused additional concern to experts.
“We were hoping to find B.1.1.7 in Dane County, as it appeared in other parts of the state last month,” Janel Heinrich, director of Public Health Madison and Dane County, said in the PHMDC announcement. “Although this is the first time that sequencing confirms the tension here, we are operating under the assumption that the variant is present and that is why we continue to emphasize that people do not let their guard down.”
Stay tuned for campus messages and visit the university’s COVID-19 Response website (https://covidresponse.wisc.edu/) for the latest information on the UW – Madison pandemic response. The CDC has more information on virus variants.