DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Iowa Department of Public Health has confirmed three cases of the COVID-19 variant in the state.
IDPH says the three cases of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7., Also known as the British variant, are in eastern Iowa. Two cases in adults between the ages of 18 and 40 in Johnson County, and one in an adult between 41 and 60 years in Bremer County.
IDPH and local health departments have already contacted the three people and are going through the contact tracing process. The State Hygienic Lab, where the cases were identified, has been participating in the CDC’s SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance Program since early December. They send test samples to sequence for variants of COVID-19.
“Viruses are constantly changing through mutation and it is expected that new variants of a virus will emerge over time. Sometimes new variants arise and disappear. Other times, new variants appear and continue to exist. During this pandemic, multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and worldwide. Public Health will continue to work with our partners at SHL to monitor these trends, and it is very important that we all continue to take good steps to protect public health, ”said Dr. Caitlin Pedati, state medical director and epidemiologist in a written statement. .
Due to the emergence of new variants, IDPH says it remains critical that Iowans continue to monitor mitigation efforts to slow the spread.
- Wear a mask or face cover
- Practice social distancing from people outside your household
- Clean your hands regularly with soap and water
- Stay at home if you feel sick
- Get tested if you are exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19
- Consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you
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