(KNSI) – Variant strains of COVID-19 are alarming Minnesota health officials as more people are turning up sick in hospitals.
Medical Director at the Minnesota Department of Health, Doctor Ruth Lynfield, says Minnesota has identified 943 cases of the B117 variant resulting in 36 hospitalizations and four deaths.
“This is the variant that was first identified in the UK. This variant is about 50% more contagious, and has been associated with a 64% higher death rate in the UK, compared to other strains.”
Minnesota estimates that 54% to 66% of nearly 2600 positive samples tested between March 22 and March 27 were positive for the B117 variant.
The Minnesota Public Health laboratory is sequencing about 350 samples a week, and The University of Minnesota genomic center is sequencing about 250 samples a week with sequencing capacity increasing.
While B117 is the most common variant in Minnesota, it’s not the only one.
There have been 214 cases of the B147-27-49 variant. These are the mutations first identified in California. Minnesota has had four hospitalizations and two deaths from that variant. It is thought to be more contagious when compared to COVID-19.
Minnesota has identified B1351 cases. The variant was first identified in South Africa. There have been 20 cases in the state and four hospitalizations. It’s also thought to be more contagious.
The Department of Health is also looking at three P1 cases. This variant was first identified in Japan among travelers from Brazil. One person in the state has been hospitalized from that virus.
Dr. Lynfield says all this data is pointing to growing community spread statewide.
“The continued rise in COVID-19 variant cases highlights the need to use public health prevention measures. We are experiencing a concerning growth in cases and hospitalizations. We need to act together in our communities to control the spread of SARS-COVI to including the spread of these variants.”
Besides B 117, laboratory tests appear to show specific monoclonal therapies, and antibodies from people who receive the vaccine or had prior infection may not work against these strains or other strains.
Dr. Lynfield says it’s everyone’s responsibility to do the right thing to help beat the virus.
“We are all tired of this virus and the restrictions it has brought on. But we need to act now. Please continue to wear a mask. Social distance wash your hands often get tested when needed. Stay home if you’re sick, and please get vaccinated.”
More than 1.68 million Minnesotans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, and more than 1.05 million have been fully inoculated against the coronavirus.
Minnesota exceeded more than 2,000 daily cases of the coronavirus on Thursday for the first time in months as cases in recent weeks continue to trend upward.
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