(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois public health officials say they have identified eight more cases of the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom.
With these eight additional cases of the UK variant, the known total rises to nine in Illinois — all in Cook County, including Chicago.
The patients range in age from 12 to 63.
Public health officials say the UK variant spreads more easily than the coronavirus strain that has dominated in America up to now.
The director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, says: “We are following closely to see if there is evidence that infections by this variant cause more severe disease or death.”
Related
She says based on what they know, the vaccine is still effective.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram