US Confirms First Case of New Covid-19 Strain

The US health office confirmed the first case of a new COVID-19 strain spreading in the UK despite the infected individual not having a travel history.

 

The new variant of the coronavirus that could be as much as 70% transmissible has been identified in Colorado, the official addressed on Dec 29. The man who has tested positive for the virus reportedly does not have a travel history is currently in isolation. 

 

The mutated strain has been found increasing rapidly predominantly in Southern England,  which is expected to be the cause of the recent spike in cases in the country. The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that a fast-moving new strain of the coronavirus was proved that is 70% more transmissible.

 

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said this month that a new contagious UK variant could already be circulating in the US since the travel between two nations is still allowed. 

 

The US coronavirus vaccine czar, Dr. Moncef Slaoui, said earlier in December that the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines should be effective against new strains.

 

About 20 million Americans are expected to get vaccinated by the end of this year according to the Trump administration’s vaccine program, however, it is likely to fall short of the goal as of Dec 13, just more than 11.4 million doses had been distributed, but only about 2.1 million had been administered.