According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US has reported at least 618 cases of COVID-19 variants from the UK, Brazil and South Africa in 33 states.
Of that total, 611 are the more contagious British variant known as B.1.1.7, of which 187 have been cases in Florida and 145 in California, the CDC said in an update Thursday.
There are five cases of the B.1.351 variant, which was first discovered in South Africa. Three of them are in Maryland and two in South Carolina.
Meanwhile, two cases of the P.1 strain from Brazil were identified in Minnesota, according to the CDC.
The 618 cases, which are based on a sample of positive specimens, “do not represent the total number of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 lineage cases that may be circulating in the United States and may not match. figures reported by states, territories, tribes and local officials, ”noted the agency.