First Case Of Brazilian Coronavirus Variant Identified In Chicago

CHICAGO – Illinois' first case of a coronavirus variant was identified in Chicago, public health officials said Friday.

A Chicagoan found to have contracted the COVID-19 P.1 variant, which was first detected in Brazil, did not travel outside Illinois. Neither did people who had household contact with the person exposed to the virus variant, Chicago public health officials said.

Researchers at the Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine determined the variant's presence through sequencing analysis of a specimen taken during a Chicago public health department follow-up investigation, officials said.

There is evidence that suggests the P.1 coronavirus variant can spread more easily than "currently circulating strains of COVID-19," and mutations in the variant may affect the ability of antibodies — from both natural infection and vaccination — to recognize and neutralize the virus. But additional studies are still needed, officials said in a statement.

State and local public health officials say they are closely monitoring this strain and other COVID-19 variants. City public health officials said they are working to identify close contacts of the Chicagoan found infected by the variant to reinforce the importance of adherence with quarantine and isolation measures.

"The news doesn’t change public health guidance around COVID-19. The same strategies used to contain the spread of COVID-19 will work against the new variants: wear a well-fitting mask; practice social distancing; avoid gatherings; don’t travel unnecessarily; wash your hands often. And get vaccinated when it’s your turn," Chicago health officials said in a statement.

The COVID-19 P.1 variant was first identified in January when travelers from Brazil were found infected with the variant during routine airport screening in Tokyo, Japan. The first case of a person infected with the P.1 variant was identified in Minnesota in late January. The variant has since been identified in several other states, officials said.

Chicago public health officials have teamed with the Centers for Disease Control and Protection and the state public health department to contribute to a national coronavirus strain surveillance by launching a Regional Innovative Public Health Laboratory in partnership with Rush University Medical Center. The new lab aims to increase public health surveillance of possible COVID -19 variants in Chicago and the suburbs.

Since May, the Illinois Public Health Department has been sending positive coronavirus samples to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for sequencing analysis to identify concerning and new emerging variants. Laboratories are being asked to submit a limited number of samples to IDPH laboratories weekly for surveillance testing to monitor virus mutation within Illinois.

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