New Coronavirus Variant Could Be Dominant Strain By March, CDC Says

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – A extremely contagious coronavirus pressure first seen within the United Kingdom might convey a few sharp enhance within the circumstances United States by March, in response to the CDC.

It is understood to be 50% extra transmissible than the present variant. New information discovered that contagious variant is already in 10 states, together with Texas.

The FDA additionally says the variant might not be detected by some COVID-19 checks.

Last week, Harris County reported its first confirmed case of the variant.

Harris County Judge Lisa Hidalgo mentioned the affected person had no historical past of journey and it’s seemingly that the extra lethal pressure has been in Texas for much longer.

Diana Cervantes, infectious illness physician at UNT Health Science Center says mutations in viruses are widespread.

“Really with viruses, their whole point is they want to make more of themselves,” she mentioned.

But the excellent news is the scientists imagine the vaccines in the marketplace are efficient, even on the variant.

But that might not be the case with COVID-19 checks.

The FDA just lately warned suppliers {that a} check might come again damaging for COVID-19 if the individual has the brand new pressure of the virus.

“You don’t want to rely 100%, on any type of diagnostic test,” Dr. Cervantes mentioned. “Whenever providers, decide if somebody does have an infection, they look at the signs and symptoms they look at their possible exposures and they also look at the results of the test.”

Parkland Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Chang says one of the simplest ways to guard your self is by following the tried and examined methods.

“It doesn’t change anything that you should do, you should still put your mask on it will still protect you, you should still get the vaccine, it will still protect you. And if you wash your hands, you’ll still wash it off, it doesn’t make any difference,” he mentioned. “I would encourage folks to not really worry about that so much as really just concentrate on the things that you should already be doing.”

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