A more infectious COVID-19 variant has been detected in Vermont for the first time, state health officials said Monday. The B.1.1.7 variant, first discovered in the United Kingdom, was discovered in a test for a Chittenden County resident. Health officials announced a “likely presence” of the variant in mid-February after wastewater sampling detected variant mutations. Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said the findings did not come as a surprise. “This and other variants have been circulating throughout the U.S. for some time, so we expected to find evidence here,” Levine said. “In fact, we are the last New England state where it has been detected.”Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show only two states — South Dakota and Oklahoma — have not recorded a case of the variant. Vaccine manufacturers have said their vaccines should still provide some protection against this variant, though Moderna has submitted a variant-specific vaccine candidate for clinical study.”We are moving to vaccinate people as quickly as possible, and I ask everyone who is eligible for each phase to get vaccinated,” Levine said. “But now that we know the variant is here, it is ever more important that everyone follow our guidance to prevent transmission.”Vermont moved to a new vaccine distribution phase Monday, opening the shots to residents between 55 and 64 with certain high-risk health conditions.
BURLINGTON, Vt. —
A more infectious COVID-19 variant has been detected in Vermont for the first time, state health officials said Monday.
The B.1.1.7 variant, first discovered in the United Kingdom, was discovered in a test for a Chittenden County resident. Health officials announced a “likely presence” of the variant in mid-February after wastewater sampling detected variant mutations.
Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine said the findings did not come as a surprise.
“This and other variants have been circulating throughout the U.S. for some time, so we expected to find evidence here,” Levine said. “In fact, we are the last New England state where it has been detected.”
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show only two states — South Dakota and Oklahoma — have not recorded a case of the variant.
Vaccine manufacturers have said their vaccines should still provide some protection against this variant, though Moderna has submitted a variant-specific vaccine candidate for clinical study.
“We are moving to vaccinate people as quickly as possible, and I ask everyone who is eligible for each phase to get vaccinated,” Levine said. “But now that we know the variant is here, it is ever more important that everyone follow our guidance to prevent transmission.”
Vermont moved to a new vaccine distribution phase Monday, opening the shots to residents between 55 and 64 with certain high-risk health conditions.