First Case Of P.1 Coronavirus Variant Reported In Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Health Department has reported the first case of the coronavirus P.1 variant in Lake County.

The P.1 variant was first identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan in early January. It was first detected in the United States at the end of January 2021, and made its way into Illinois in recent weeks.

This variant contains a set of additional mutations that may affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies. Studies show that current vaccines are effective for the P.1 and other known variants, according to local health officials.

“This is the second new variant of COVID-19 to be identified in Lake County since February, and the rise of these new variants could impact the progress we have made this year,” said Mark Pfister, Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department. “We can’t afford to let our guard down. Please continue wearing masks, washing hands, keeping 6 feet of distance from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces to keep our communities safe.”

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The Lake County Health Department is investigating the local P.1 variant case, which is the second known case in the state. Health officials currently do not know the person's travel history, according to a Wednesday news release.

Viruses constantly change, and new variants have been expected, health officials say. In addition to the P.1 variant in Brazil, the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the United Kingdom and 1.351 variant in South Africa have recently emerged.

These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19, health officials said Wednesday. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths.

The Lake County Health Department has investigated multiple cases of the B.1.1.7 variant since the first case was identified in the county on Feb. 5. Most of the cases were related to domestic or international travel, officials said. No cases of the 1.351 variant have been identified in Lake County to date.

“While we have identified a limited numbers of variant cases in our county, they are most certainly an underestimate of the number of actual cases,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical Epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department. “We need our community’s help to curb the spread of the virus while we work to vaccinate our residents as quickly as possible. It is crucial to continue to follow quarantine recommendations if you have traveled or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Wearing masks, washing your hands, and keeping your distance from others continue to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus, regardless of the strain.”

To date, 125 coronavirus variant cases have been reported in the state, according to recent public health data. There are currently 120 B.1.1.7 variant cases and three B.1.351 variant cases statewide.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention website has more information on COVID-19 and coronavirus variants.