1st Case Of South Africa Coronavirus Variant Confirmed In MN

MINNESOTA — A single case of a coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa has been diagnosed in Minnesota, state health officials announced on Thursday.

The person who was carrying the variant began showing symptoms of COVID-19 on Jan. 24, and a specimen was taken from them on Jan. 29, health officials said in a news release. The variant was confirmed on Wednesday after it went through whole genome sequencing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is unclear how the person contracted the virus. Officials said the person had not traveled internationally but may have had contact with a person who left the country. An investigation into the case is ongoing.

“The virus continues to mutate as all viruses do,” Minnesota health department commissioner Jan Malcolm said in a statement. “That’s yet another reason why we want to limit COVID-19 transmission – the fewer people who get COVID-19, the fewer opportunities the virus has to mutate. The good news is that we can slow that process by wearing masks, keeping social distance, staying home when sick, and getting tested when appropriate.”

The coronavirus variant is thought to be more easily transmitted than the original virus, but it is not yet known if it causes more severe illness.

In a statement, Minnesota epidemiologist Dr. Ruth Lynfield said international travel should be avoided throughout the remainder of the pandemic.

Officials recommend that people who choose to travel should be tested one to three days before departing and three to five days after arrival. Travelers are also encouraged to quarantine for seven days after arriving to their destination.

“It’s important to limit travel during a pandemic as much as possible and if you must travel, it is important to follow public health guidance on getting tested prior to travel, using careful protective measures during travel, and quarantining and getting tested after travel,” Lynfield said.

A total of 91 other cases of the South Africa variant have been found in 21 other states as of Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It has been detected in 48 countries.

Officials told the Associated Press they are watching the situation in Minnesota closely because the person’s specimen had an additional mutation to the virus that may make immunity from vaccine or prior infection less responsive.

Over 1.1 million people in Minnesota have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and over 640,000 people have been fully inoculated against the virus, state data shows.

Officials this week announced the state is exceeding expectations in its vaccination rate. As it stands, over 1.7 million doses of the virus have been given out across the state. Officials estimate another million people will be vaccinated in the next four to six weeks.