First Cases Of COVID-19 Variant Detected In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County has detected its first community cases of the coronavirus variant originally detected in the United Kingdom.

The variant is more contagious than other COVID-19 variants and may be more deadly, the county said in a statement.

Still, initial studies indicate that all three COVID-19 vaccines available in America offer strong protection against this variant and others.

Laboratory results confirmed two cases of the variant from the U.K., the county said. It's unclear how widespread the variant is, but many more undetected cases are likely circulating in the community, county Health Officer Chris Farnitano said in the statement.

The development is concerning, he said. “This is a reminder that even though COVID numbers are falling, we need to continue using all our tools to prevent another surge: wear masks in public, continue to physically distance, avoid both indoor and large gatherings, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn,” Farnitano said in the statement.

One of Contra Costa's patients with the variant was able to isolate at home after experiencing common symptoms such as a cough and muscle aches. The other patient had multiple symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, headache and loss of smell and taste, the county said. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request seeking information about whether the patient was able to isolate at home.

The cases were detected as part of a laboratory surveillance effort.

No cases of the variant first discovered in South Africa have been detected in the county, but Farnitano said that the public should assume it's also circulating. Last month, neighboring Alameda and Santa Clara counties announced that California's first two cases of that variant had been found in their counties.

The variant from South Africa is not thought to cause more severe illness but may spread more easily among people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nearly 65,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported in Contra Costa as of Tuesday morning, including some 1,800 active cases. More than 700 deaths here have been linked to COVID-19.

About a quarter of the county's population — nearly 287,000 people — have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.