New coronavirus variant arrives in Stanislaus County. Why health officials are concerned
The first known case of what is usually called the “U.K.” variant of the coronavirus has been detected in Stanislaus County, health officials said Thursday.
The variant identified as B.1.1.7. is more infectious and has spread in 70 countries since it was first identified in the United Kingdom in fall 2020. It is more infectious and possibly causes more severe illness and higher risk of death, according to a news release Thursday from the county Health Services Agency.
The U.K. variant arrived in the United States near the end of 2020. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted the variant will become the most dominant strain spreading in the U.S. by the end of this month.
“The detection of the B.1.1.7. variant in Stanislaus County is a sobering reminder that this pandemic is not over,” said Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county public health officer.
She said the best way to combat the coronavirus strain is taking steps to keep it from circulating in the community.
“It is vital that everyone, even people that have been vaccinated, continue to follow recommendations that prevent the spread of disease, which include testing, masking, distancing, and getting the vaccine when it is your turn,” Vaishampayan said in the news release.
Vaishampayan pointed to studies suggesting the three vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are effective against the U.K. strain, providing strong protection.
Kamlesh Kaur, a county health educator, said local health officials found out Wednesday that testing had identified the B.1.1.7 strain in a local coronavirus case. The county did not release the location or any information about the case.
County health departments can identify variants of coronavirus through viral genomic sequencing conducted at an outside lab.
Kaur said she didn’t have details on why sequence testing was requested for a local case of coronavirus. She said usually a hospital or perhaps a doctor will ask for genomic sequencing on a particular case or circumstances that might suggest an outbreak.
Last year, the state created a network of laboratories for genomic sequencing as state and county health agencies try to track the coronavirus variants.
Stanislaus County public health can make a request to the state for a sequencing test. The state reports the results to the county.
Similar to the mutation of the common flu virus, the coronavirus that emerged from China is constantly changing, leading to variants or new strains. Some of the variants evolve to be more skilled at invading human cells and causing more serious disease.
“Because it spreads so fast, it is good to see if (the UK strain) is in our community,” Kaur said. “I am sure our team will continue monitoring (the strain) and will investigate more into this case.”
Citing the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Kaur said the U.K. strain is 50 percent more contagious than the common coronavirus.
The CDC has a data map showing 375 confirmed COVID-19 cases caused by the U.K. variant in California. The state Department of Public Health says 23,954 test samples have been sequenced for different coronavirus strains, as of March 11, though it’s not a complete tally.
Beside the U.K. strain, the state is also monitoring for two other “variants of concern” including B.1.351, which originated in South Africa and a strain (P.1) that emerged in Brazil.
State health officials are watching two additional “variants of interest” that are closely related and designated the West Coast strain; recent evidence suggests they may be more contagious.
Residents should not let their guard down
With the weather getting better and the county close to entering a less restrictive tier of California’s coronavirus plan, health officials are concerned residents will let their guard down and stop taking precautions such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
The spring-like weather could bring on more social gatherings and weddings, creating conditions where the U.K. strain can easily spread.
In the same news release Thursday, the county Health Services Agency said that eligibility for vaccine clinics has expanded according to state guidelines.
Public transit employees, as well as janitors and custodians were added to the eligibility list. Other county residents who are eligible for vaccination shots are healthcare workers, long-term care residents, seniors age 65 and older, and employees in education, childcare, food, agriculture and emergency services.
People with disabilities and underlying medical conditions also became eligible for COVID vaccinations starting this week.
The county Health Services Agency has details about coronavirus vaccination clinics and other vaccine opportunities at www.schsa.org.
Modesto Bee staff writer ChrisAnna Mink contributed to this story.
This story was originally published March 18, 2021 at 11:40 AM.
