New COVID-19 Variant Coming to the US

According to a new CDC study, a more contagious strain of the coronavirus first found in the UK late last year could be the dominant strain in the US by March. Researchers have warned that the increased spread could add more pressure on the nation's hospitals and require greater public health measures to mitigate the virus. The increased spread may also require more people to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity.

So far, the US has only found 76 COVID-19 cases with this variant. Unfortunately, these cases have been discovered in people with no travel histories, suggesting that the variant is spreading around communities undetected already.

While this variant is more contagious, it does not make people more sick and does not increase the risk of dying from the virus. However, there is concern that the new variants could be more resistant to antibody treatments, which could reduce someone's chance of landing in the hospital if it is early enough from their infection time.

This means that it is now even more important than before to follow all social distancing measures. California is getting more people vaccinated now (everyone 65+ currently), but if this strain does become dominant in the US soon, the vaccinations will not be able to keep up. Totally awesome thought.

Stay safe and have a great three day weekend!

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/15/new-covid-variant-first-found-in-uk-could-become-dominant-strain-in-us-by-march-cdc-says-.html

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