SAN MARCOS, Texas (Talk1370.com) -- Hays County officials say they've learned of the first county case of a variant of COVID-19 first seen in the United Kingdom.
The Texas Department of State Health Services notified county officials of the positive test. According to county health officials, the person who tested positive was asymptomatic.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 is more contagious and may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, although officials have said more data is needed to substantiate that finding.
"Now is a good time to remind everyone to be extra vigilant and continue to do all the recommended safety protocols," Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said. Those measures include hand washing, wearing a face mask, staying home unless it’s necessary to go out and not gathering in groups of people outside your household members.
The Hays County case joins other cases identified in Harris County, Travis County, Dallas County, and El Paso County.