FDOH investigating evidence of first case of UK COVID-19 variant in Florida

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Florida Department of Health confirms Thursday it is investigating evidence of the first identified case of the UK COVID-19 variant in the state.

According to the FDOH tweet, a 20-year-old man in Martin County has likely contracted the UK COVID-19 variant. He has no recent travel history.

FDOH is working with the CDC during this investigation.

According to an Associate Press report, “Scientists in the U.K. believe the variant is more contagious than previously identified strains. The vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against the variant, Colorado health officials said in a news release.”

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