Skip to content
Condition: National Header False
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

Latest Stories

COVID-19 variant first found in UK now detected in Texas

The first known Texas case of the new COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant has been identified in a resident of south Texas, in Harris County.

Harris county health officials say the male resident, who has no history of travel, was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and that results of genetic sequencing showed that the infection was caused by the variant.


“The fact that this person had no travel history suggests this variant is already circulating in Texas,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “Genetic variations are the norm among viruses, and it’s not surprising that it arrived here given how rapidly it spreads. This should make us all redouble our commitment to the infection prevention practices that we know work: masks any time you’re around people you don’t live with, social distancing, and personal and environmental hygiene.”

The B.1.1.7 variant was first identified in the United Kingdom in the fall and appears to spread much more easily from person to person than most strains of the coronavirus.

LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram