Georgia public health officials confirm the first case of a highly-contagious strand of the Coronavirus that originated in the United Kingdom is now in the state.
An 18-year-old man tested positive for COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 and has not traveled or had any contact with anyone from Europe. He's currently isolated at home as officials try to figure out how many people he came in close contact with over the past week.
"Preliminary epidemiologic information suggests that this variant is significantly more contagious than the SARS-CoV-2 virus," according to the health officials. "However, there is no evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death."
Two other states have reported cases of the newly-discovered strand. The first case in the U.S. surfaced in Colorado with a National Guardsman identified as the individual who tested positive. Another man in California became the second known case in the country. Neither of the two men have a history of travel and hasn't had known exposure to anyone in the UK.
This news comes as COVID-19 vaccines are in the process of rolling out across the country. A majority of Georgians will have access to being inoculated in the coming weeks. Over 683,000 people in Georgia have tested positive for Coronvirus since March.
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