According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Covid variant B.1.1.7 is now the most dominant form of coronavirus in the US.
The Covid Variant B.1.1.7
The highly infectious variant was initially identified in Britain last year and is now the most common Covid strain circulating in the U.S. This has roused concern among some scientists because it contains not just one, but two bothersome mutations in its genetic composition. The variant seems to be more fatal and spreads rapidly than other strains. This has led to a large increase in cases and deaths.
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During a White House coronavirus team meeting, the CDC director; Dr. Rachelle Walensky, said “The variant, known as B.1.1.7, is now the most common lineage circulating in the United States, and testing remains an important strategy to rapidly identify and isolate infectious individuals, including those with variants of concern”.
The CDC director further declared that; the B.1.1.7 strain had accounted for 26% of Covid-19 cases. She urged the public not to let their guard down, but to ensure safety measures. Such measures include; wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing.
Also, a map of the CDC data revealed that Florida has the most confirmed cases of the new variant, followed by Michigan, Wisconsin, California, and Colorado. Nevertheless, public health officials say that they are working at full speed to identify more cases.
However, the number of deaths continue to decline. This is a sign that mass vaccinations are starting to protect older Americans and other vulnerable populations.
