A new COVID-19 strain that has been spreading throughout the UK has for the first time been detected in the United States, in Colorado. State officials have also identified as second suspected case. Both men work but do not live in Elbert County, suggesting that the strain has spread throughout Colorado. Evidence suggest this coronavirus variant may be more contagious than previous mutations. Experts believe the vaccines now being administered are effective against this strain. It is difficult to say what this variant means for outcomes on hospitalizations, severity and mortality but it is something we definitely need to monitor. We also need to deploy gene sequencing detection throughout the country as part of our future epidemiology. Various mutations are likely already present in the US.
Full Story: Associated Press, CIDRAP