Local hospital officials have confirmed that the UK variant of COVID-19 has been detected in the tri-state.
After noticing some new result patterns in local COVID-19 tests, officials at Deaconess Health microbiology labs began to suspect a new strain of the virus was spreading in the community.
They sent specimens to a lab in California, and it was confirmed. The more contagious and potentially more serious UK strain of Covid-19 is here.
Deaconess President Dr. James Porter said in a statement that he is concerned but not surprised the variant is here - citing the CDC's recent prediction that the strain will be dominant by March.
In the media release, Deaconess officials caution that, though the community has seen a dip in cases recently, other areas confirmed to have the UK strain are seeing a surge of cases and hospitalizations so now is not the time to be complacent about mask-wearing and social distancing.
The new strain is estimated to be 30-70% more contagious and potentially 30% more deadly.