Colorado Man Is The First American To Test Positive for New Covid-19 Mutant Strain

December 29, 2020 By: The Big Magazine Staff

Colorado has announced the first US case of the new mutated Covid-19 variant B.1.1.7 that was first detected in the UK.

Governor Jared Polis revealed the worrying news in a tweet, writing: 'Today we discovered Colorado's first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7'

Governor Jared Polis tweeted the news, 'Today we discovered Colorado’s first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the UK. The health and safety of Coloradans is our top priority and we will monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely.'

The tweeted statement said the Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the case and notified the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The man had not traveled which tells officials the new Covid-19 strain remains undetected in infected individuals in the U.S.

The man will remain in isolation until he is cleared by health officials. The statement also says 'The individual has no close contacts identified so far, but public health officials are working to identify other potential cases and contacts through thorough contact tracing interviews.'

Gov. Polis added: 'There is a lot we don't know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious.

The news arrives after millions of people traveled across the US to see loved-ones during the holidays.

The new variant of the coronavirus has been spreading rapidly in the U.K. The new Covid-19 strain known as the B.1.1.7 is estimated to be 70% more infectious.

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