Highly Contagious South Africa Coronavirus Variant Detected in U.S.
A highly contagious variant of the Coronavirus found  in South Africa has just been detected in two people from South Carolina. The infected two people have no travel history or any contact with each other, which suggests it has spread from elsewhere.
The WSJ reports that the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control said the highly contagious strain, labeled as B.1.351, was found in two adults with no recent history of travel or any connection to each other.
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“The arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 variant in our state is an important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” Dr. Brannon Traxler, who is the department’s interim director, said.
Other strains have already infiltrated the U.S from the UK and Brazil.
“CDC is early in its efforts to understand this variant and will continue to provide updates as we learn more,” the CDC said. “CDC’s recommendations for slowing the spread—wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, avoiding crowds, ventilating indoor spaces, and washing hands often—will also prevent the spread of this variant.”
Health officials are investigating whether current medications and vaccines will have the same effect on these new strains. International travel is highly warned against.
