3 people infected with the British coronavirus variant in Fresno County

FRESNO, California (KFSN) – Health officials say they have discovered the first known cases of the British coronavirus variant in Fresno County.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, officials from the Fresno County Department of Public Health said they had been informed by the state that three people have tested positive for the British coronavirus variant, or “B.1.1.7” as it is officially called.

In the briefing, health officials acknowledged that the three cases are likely “just the tip of the iceberg,” and that there are likely many more cases of this variant strain causing COVID cases in Fresno County.

Health department contact tracers have already reached out to all the people infected with the variant and are working to isolate people they may have come into contact with.

B.1.1.7 is one of the so-called “variants of care” and was found to be 40 to 80 percent more transferable. It was first discovered in the United Kingdom, where it spread rapidly and caused a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Stick with ABC30 for the final details on this evolving story.