Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global health crisis that has affected millions of people around the world. In the United States, the virus has spread rapidly, with cases increasing in many states. Recently, the governor of one state has announced that a more contagious strain of the virus has been detected in their state. This news has caused alarm among many citizens, as the new strain is believed to be more easily spread from person to person. In this article, we will discuss the implications of this new strain and what steps can be taken to protect against it.
More Contagious COVID Just Hit This State, Says Governor
The governor of a certain state has just announced that a more contagious strain of COVID-19 has been detected in the state. The governor has urged residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their families from the virus.
The new strain, known as B.1.1.7, is believed to be up to 70% more contagious than the original strain of the virus. It was first identified in the United Kingdom and has since spread to other countries, including the United States.
The governor has urged residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their families from the virus. This includes wearing a face mask when in public, washing hands frequently, and avoiding large gatherings. The governor also urged residents to get tested if they have any symptoms of COVID-19.
The governor also warned that the new strain could lead to a surge in cases in the state. He urged residents to take the virus seriously and to follow the guidelines set forth by the state and federal governments.
The governor’s announcement comes as the state is already seeing a surge in cases. The state has seen a record number of new cases in the past week, and the number of hospitalizations is also on the rise.
It is unclear how the new strain will affect the state, but it is clear that residents need to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their families from the virus. The governor’s announcement is a reminder that the virus is still a threat and that everyone needs to do their part to help stop the spread.
The primary U.S. case of a COVID-19 variant that appears extra simply transmissible has been recognized in Colorado. The mutated virus, which was first recognized in the UK, was recognized in a person in his 20s with no journey historical past, Gov. Jared Polis stated Tuesday. “We’ll carefully monitor this case,” stated Polis, “in addition to all COVID-19 indicators, very carefully.” State officers are engaged on contact tracing, CNN reported. Learn on to see what this implies for you—and to make sure your well being and the well being of others, do not miss these Positive Indicators You’ve got Already Had Coronavirus.
“It’s a extra contagious variant” of COVID-19
“An unknown journey historical past implies that this individual picked it up locally,” Dr. Atul Gawande, a Boston-based surgeon and member of the Biden-Harris transition COVID advisory board, instructed CNN. “We all know it’s a extra contagious variant, and that is a severe concern if it’s only simply now starting to unfold, on condition that our hospitals and ICUs, specifically, are already being stuffed,” stated Gawande.
Nationwide, 75 p.c of ICU beds are occupied as of Dec. 24, the New York Instances stories. Many areas are at ICU capability or exceed it; for instance, Central and Southern California reached 0% capability final weekend. However consultants warn that even these dire figures could not present the true state of healthcare sources within the nation, as a result of many hospitals have a scarcity of healthcare employees, not simply beds.
RELATED: COVID Signs Normally Seem in This Order, Examine Finds
The place did the mutation come from, and what does it imply?
The virus mutation was first recognized within the UK in September. In keeping with BBC Information, by November it accounted for a couple of quarter of circumstances in London; by mid-December, it was recognized in virtually two-thirds of circumstances.
Researchers consider the variant is not deadlier than the unique coronavirus, however it might be simpler to catch. The virus could also be as much as 70 p.c extra transmissible, in accordance with figures cited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, however the proof is just not conclusive. BBC Information says that scientists are reporting transmission charges each above and beneath that quantity.
RELATED: 7 Ideas You Should Observe to Keep away from COVID, Say Docs
As a result of COVID-19 is an RNA virus, it may be anticipated to mutate continuously, stated Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s main infectious illness professional, on PBS NewsHour final week. “Many of the mutations haven’t any useful relevance,” he stated. “This one has a suggestion that it would permit the virus to unfold extra readily. We’re nonetheless in search of out proof to show or disapprove that.
“However let’s make an assumption that it’s, in truth, making the virus extra transmissible, despite the fact that it hasn’t been confirmed but,” stated Fauci. “It does not appear in any respect to have any affect on the virulence or what we name the deadliness of the virus. It does not make folks extra sick. And it does not appear to have any affect on the protecting nature of the vaccines that we’re at present utilizing.”
Learn how to survive this pandemic
As for your self, do every little thing you possibly can to forestall getting—and spreading—COVID-19 within the first place: Put on a face masks, get examined should you suppose you might have coronavirus, keep away from crowds (and bars, and home events), apply social distancing, solely run important errands, wash your arms usually, disinfect continuously touched surfaces, and to get by way of this pandemic at your healthiest, do not miss these 35 Locations You are Most Prone to Catch COVID.