A more contagious and severe strain of the COVID-19 virus has been identified in the Panhandle, leading officials to urge people to take steps to limit the spread of the virus.
The variant, B117, was initially detected in the United Kingdom in December, and spread to the United States.
“This variant seems to spread more easily and quickly than other variants which may lead to more COVID cases with the potential for increased severity,” a press release from COVID-19 Unified Command stated. “Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time.”
On Friday, COVID-19 Unified Command announced that two teenagers, one a male and the other female, and a woman in her 30s tested positive for the variant. Close contacts have been quarantined to slow the spread of the variant.
Officials confirm that the existing vaccine has proven effective against the COVID variants, based on existing studies.
“Finding this strain in the Panhandle reinforces the importance of getting your COVID vaccine,” said Panhandle Public Health District Director Kim Engel. “Consider it your molecular PPE and one of the best protection against this insidious virus. Now that it’s available to anyone over 18, we urge you to get it.”
As of Monday, 23,219 Panhandle residents have received the vaccine. All Panhandle residents over the age of 18 are encouraged to schedule a time to receive their COVID vaccine by going to vaccinate.ne.gov. There is no charge for the vaccine. The Moderna vaccine requires two doses, and the Johnson and Johnson vaccine requires only one dose.
In the past week, there have been 18 more cases of COVID confirmed in the Panhandle: one in Box Butte County, one in Cheyenne County, two in Dawes County, one in Grant County, one in Morrill County, nine in Scotts Bluff County and three in Sheridan County. Since testing began in March 2020, the Panhandle has seen 8,912 cases of COVID-19, with only 39 cases occurring in the last 14 days. Since the outbreak began, 191 Panhandle residents have died due to the coronavirus.