First Case Of Coronavirus Variant Confirmed In Georgia Teen

GEORGIA — The Georgia Department of Public Health announced on Tuesday Georgia’s first case of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the U.K., several other countries and U.S. states. The variant was discovered during analysis of a specimen sent by a pharmacy in Georgia to a commercial lab.

The Georgia resident is an 18-year-old male with no travel history, and is currently in isolation at home. The Department of Public Health is working to identify close contacts of the individual and will monitor them and test them for the variant.

Preliminary epidemiologic information suggests that this variant is significantly more contagious. So far, there is no evidence that the B.1.1.7 variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death.

“The emergence of this variant in our state should be a wake-up call for all Georgians,” said Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey. “Even as we begin to roll out a COVID-19 vaccine, we must not let down our guard and ignore basic prevention measures – wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands frequently.”

As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Georgia reported 6,102 more cases of the coronavirus, bringing the state total to more than 597,208. There were 66 new deaths were also confirmed, bringing the state's total to 9,966.