First Cases Of COVID-19 Variant Detected In Santa Cruz County

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County has detected its first cases of the COVID-19 variant first found in the United Kingdom.

Two cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been identified and are being monitored by the Santa Cruz County Public Health Division, the county said Monday in a news release. The cases were observed in patients who tested positive for the coronavirus on Jan. 28 and Feb. 28.

The variant is more contagious than other COVID-19 variants and may be more deadly. Still, initial studies indicate that all three COVID-19 vaccines available in America offer strong protection against this variant and others.

The public should assume this variant is circulating in the community, the county said. Viral mutations are normal.

The county expected these COVID-19 variants to arrive, said Dr. Gail Newel, county health officer, in the news release. Other Bay Area counties have already reported cases of the variant originally detected in the U.K.

Santa Cruz County's COVID-19 case numbers look good now, but people should remain vigilant and continue to wear masks and practice social distancing, she said.

"A virus cannot mutate if it cannot replicate," Newel said in the news release.

State laboratories and University of California, Santa Cruz's laboratories are testing for COVID-19 variants, the county said. A California variant known as B.1.427 and B.1.429 appear to be circulating broadly.