Massachusetts is one of several states analyzing suspicious coronavirus samples for a new variant that was first discovered in the United Kingdom and it is reportedly more contagious than other strains.<\/b>
\nMassachusetts is one of several states analyzing suspicious coronavirus samples for a new variant that was first discovered in the United Kingdom and it is reportedly more contagious than other strains. Dr. Greg Armstrong, who directs genetic sequencing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in addition to Massachusetts, California, Delaware and many other states are currently working on the samples. The CDC is working with a national lab that gets samples from around the country to broaden the search, with results expected within days. When asked for comment about the variant, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health referred the Herald to a Wednesday press conference during which Health and Human Service Secretary Marylou Sudders said, \u201cThe one thing that appears to be true about this mutant is it\u2019s highly, highly contagious.\u201d She added, \u201cSo we just assume that, you know, we know we have community transmission in Massachusetts, and we need everyone to engage in those good public health measures that we know are effective.\u201d Gov. Charlie Baker said \u201cBoth the Pfizer and Moderna folks have said they don\u2019t believe that this variant would have any less of an impact of their ability for their products to actually work against it.\u201d California on Wednesday announced the nation\u2019s second confirmed case of the variant following the first case found in Colorado. Scientists have found no evidence that the variant is more lethal or causes more severe illness, and they believe the vaccines now being dispensed will be effective against it. But a faster-spreading virus could swamp hospitals with seriously ill patients while the United States is currently in the midst of a record-breaking surge of cases and deaths. Researchers estimate the variant is 50% to 70% more contagious, said Dr. Eric France, Colorado\u2019s chief medical officer. \u201cInstead of only making two or three other people sick, you might actually spread it to four or five people,\u201d France said. New versions of the virus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China a year ago. It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes as they reproduce and move through a population. South Africa has also discovered a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country\u2019s latest spike of cases, hospitalizations and deaths. But coronavirus mutates much more slowly than other viruses such as influenza, which changes so quickly a new vaccine is needed every year. The new variant adds additional pressure to speed up the ongoing vaccine rollout, of which 20 million first doses have already been allocated in the United States, Health and Human Services Sec. Alex Azar said on Thursday via Twitter. Herald wire services contributed to this report.<\/p>\n