Second case of UK COVID-19 variant confirmed in Oregon

Jan 25 2021, 8:36 pm

Oregon health officials have reported a second case of the COVID-19 variant from the UK.

The Oregon Health Authority announced in a news release that a person in Yamhill County has tested positive with the variant. State and county public health officials are currently investigating the possible sources of infection, as the infected person has no known travel history.

This is the second known case in Oregon of the United Kingdom variant strain, also known as strain B.1.1.7 or SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no conclusive evidence that the new strain causes more severe illness or an increased risk of death. The CDC has estimated that the new strain will become the dominant strain in the US within a few months.

Data provided by the CDC also shows that through January 22 there were 195 detections of this variant in 22 states.

The Oregon Health Authority is reminding the public to follow these guidelines:

  • Maintain six feet of physical distance
  • Wear a face covering when outside the house
  • Practice good hand hygiene
  • Avoid any gatherings with people you don’t live with
  • People who experience symptoms — even mild ones — are urged to consult with a medical provider quickly to get instructions on how to care for yourself and your household members and whether to get tested
Alyssa TherrienAlyssa Therrien

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