Scientists in Los Angeles are trying to find out if the fast-spreading strain of the coronavirus that is fueling a massive rise in the number of cases in the UK is behind a similar rise in California.
The mutation is up to 70 percent more contagious, but it doesn’t appear to be more deadly.
COVID-19 has gotten out of control in Los Angeles County and other parts of California, despite lockdowns and other attempts to stem the spread, with the state passing 2 million cases on Christmas Eve.
Officials blame holiday gatherings and travel, but also point to more mundane activities like shopping as possible causes for the continued spread, and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is the amount that those wondering if the new variant of the virus is behind the massive numbers .
“This happened very quickly. Everyone I spoke to said this gear was beyond any model and expectations, so people said, “What broke down?” and I have to think part of it is the kind that was out there, ”said Garcetti in an interview with The Los Angeles Times.
Barbara Ferrer, LA County’s Director of Public Health, said a public health lab is starting to perform gene sequencing to test virus samples collected there, but it will take about a week to get the results.