Health officials in the South Bay are describing a "worrying trend" in confirmed variants of COVID-19 circulating within the community.
Led by Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody, officials on Thursday announced that "every variant of concern has been detected in Santa Clara County," including B.1.525, B.1.526, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.427 and B.1.429. Those are differing strains of the coronavirus originating from New York, the U.K., South Africa, Japan and Brazil, and California, respectively.
Thus far, officials have confirmed over 1,000 cases of the now-dominant California or West Coast variant. Behind that, they've picked up 92 cases of the U.K. strain in Santa Clara County.
The other strains of the virus have been confirmed in the single digits, however, both the Brazilian and South African strains are thought to be more resistant to the vaccines now in distribution.
Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody speaks to the media on Thursday concerning a "worrying trend" of confirmed COVID-19 variants.Jennifer Hodges/KCBS Radio
"We're already seeing surges in other parts of the country, likely driven by variants," Dr. Cody said. "Combined with the data we are seeing locally, these are important warning signs that we must continue to minimize the spread."
The rise in variants has Dr. Cody concerned about another possible surge.
"This is a race between the variants and the vaccine," she added.
The increase in variants comes as the county experiences a shortage in COVID-19 vaccine supply, officials said. Just Thursday, millions of additional Californians became eligible for the first time as those 50 and older can now make appointments for immunization.
Santa Clara County entered the state's less restrictive orange tier for reopening in late March, which allows for increased indoor capacity at businesses and restaurants.
