Where Are The Coronavirus Variants In CT?

CONNECTICUT — Three more variant strains of the coronavirus have been reported in the state.

In data released this week by the state Department of Public Health, the P.1 variant, first detected in Brazil and the B.1.427 and B.1.429 variants, first detected in California, join variants from the U.K. and South Africa already established in Connecticut.

As of Thursday, the U.K. variant has infected 283 residents, up from 174 reported by DPH last week. There have been seven cases of the South African strain reported.

Variant cases have been reported from 66 towns.

One case of the Brazilian variant was reported in Guilford.

Two cases of the Californian B.1.429 variant were reported in Newtown, and one in Griswold. A case of the Californian B.1.427 variant was reported in Norwalk.

All of the new variants are more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19.

So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants, although they may be less effective against the South African variant. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The coronavirus positivity rate has climbed sightly for two days in a row. The data compiled Thursday and released Friday by DPH shows a slight increase in the daily coronavirus positivity rate, from 2.76 to 2.87 percent.

COVID-19 hospitalizations again climbed above 400 beds, up 18. There are now 402 residents hospitalized with the virus.

An additional 1,207 COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total number to 296,691.
The coronavirus death toll in the state is now 7,832, following the 10 new deaths recorded on Wednesday.

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