MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) reported Thursday that eight variant strain cases of the highly transmissible COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant (or U.K. variant) have been identified in Alabama residents.
The ADPH said it “is partnering with several private and commercial laboratories in the state to expand its ability to identify COVID-19 strains that are known to be more transmissible and may sabotage current progress of reducing cases in the state.”
According to the department, only a couple of the eight confirmed U.K. variant cases had out-of-state travel prior to illness onset, which it said indicates the variant strain is already circulating in the state. Cases were identified in residents of Autauga, Jefferson, Madison, Mobile and Montgomery counties.
The cases that have been identified correspond with the counties where a small portion of laboratories is collecting specimens for sequencing, so there is much yet to be determined about the variant’s spread. The variant was first identified in the United Kingdom.
Infectious disease experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have indicated that the current vaccines should be effective against the strain; however, this is still being studied, according to the ADPH. Currently, the B.1.1.7 variant has not been definitively linked to worse outcomes of the disease.
“As this variant is recent to the United States, it is important to follow the outcome of persons infected with this variant. If a patient presents with recent taste or smell disorder, or clearly presents with COVID-19 illness, and tests negative for SARS-CoV-2, providers are asked to collect a specimen as soon as possible for submission to the ADPH Bureau of Clinical Laboratories or a laboratory that performs sequencing,” said a media release from the department.
ADPH advises the public to continue practicing the usual mitigation standards with emphasis on correct and consistent use of face masks of washable, breathable fabric such as cotton, practice social distancing, and wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
For general information about COVID-19, visit www.alabamapublichealth.gov/covid19/index.html or call the COVID-19 Information Hotline number at 1-800-270-7268.
