If you needed another reason to keep your guard up these days – well, on Thursday, Jan. 28, Guilford County health officials provided a good one.
The Guilford County Division of Public Health announced that it had received confirmation of the new, faster-spreading variant of the coronavirus – officially known as “COVID-19 B.1.1.7.”
According to a press release from the county, the strain of the virus was first detected in Guilford County on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
About a week ago, state of North Carolina health officials announced that the new strain had been confirmed in North Carolina – in the Charlotte area – so county officials suspected it would be a matter of time before it showed up in Guilford County. The new strain, which is thought to have originated in the United Kingdom, is one of several new variants that have been popping up all over the world including the United States.
Here’s how they discovered the new strain in Guilford County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conduct random surveillance on COVID-19 test samples as part of an effort to find potential variant strains of coronavirus. This strain from Guilford County showed up in a positive COVID-19 test sample that had been selected at random for the extra testing.
Currently, there’s no evidence that these variants are worse in their effects than the original COVIOD-19 virus – however, they spread faster.
The infected person in Guilford County found to have the strain of the virus is now in isolation.
Current COVID-19 vaccines are so far thought to be effective against B.1.1.7.
Guilford County Health Director Dr. Iulia Vann used the occasion to remind everyone what they’re supposed to do.
“Due to the B.1.1.7 variant being highly transmissible, we are currently conducting contact tracing and will continue to heavily monitor this case,” she stated in a press releasing announcing the unwelcome discovery. “We are prepared to address future cases that contain variant strains with the same level of detail. It continues to be important for the community to follow the 3 W’s: Wear a face covering, Wash your hands, and Wait six-feet apart.”
“Stay scared!”
It’s not that this more transmissible variant originated in the UK – it’s that the British were the first to identify it.
Two cases have appeared in South Carolina in people who never left the state.
It’s just that the Brits are sharper than everyone else… even if I say so myself!
How does it spread faster? Does it not wait until 10pm to come out? Maybe it doesn’t know how to measure and can’t obey the 6 feet rule? Maybe it doesn’t know it’s not supposed to go through the mask holes that are way bigger than a virus?
Seems awful suspect that this state and country turns on a dime each news cycle. Businesses are hamstrung to the point of going out of business but let’s get the kids back to school come hell or high water. Vaccine distribution is a cluster F—-. People are starving, about to be homeless and losing hope. Crime is at a all time high with no end in site. Congress and the new administration made promises they are failing to keep. When will this end? When will we hold our leaders responsible for their words and actions. They should help the American people instead of focusing on punishing a president that lost the election. There is time for that later. We used to be the greatest country in the world. We now are a joke. Partisan politics rules the day. There is no wonder people are losing hope. Politicians say what is convenient to get elected; basically lie and then forget their promises and constituents. We need action now. We need term limits. We need the line item veto. We need people under 80 years old in positions of power. Let’s support our citizens, police, teachers, front line workers and put this pandemic behind us. We are better than this!!!!
Great post!
Beijing Biden is considering vaccinating terrorists at Gitmo! Why?
Fair elections are a thing of the past!
We do need term limits!
America First!
Wait a minute gentleman – you mean the smoke and mirrors show about Warp Speed and the 45 being the fastest and the bestest wasn’t true? You mean the Big Lie isn’t really a lie?
I though Warp Speed had it all figured out – oooopsie
PS Jay – it’s the Republicants that oppose term limits, at least 45 was limited to one term. Remember, this is their mess. When they keep giving all the aid money to their buddies and Wall Street (90% of stocks are owned by less than 5% of people) try to figure out why they try so hard to make you hate everyone else
If only our politicians moved so quickly, and efficiently.
Slow, decrapatite, and afunkshunul in NC