4 More Cases Of U.K. Variant Confirmed In Montgomery County

NORRISTOWN, PA — At least four more Montgomery County residents have tested positive for the United Kingdom variant of COVID-19, officials confirmed Wednesday afternoon.

Moreover, there are several additional cases which the county considers "probable" for the virus, but which have not yet been confirmed through genomic testing.

"The variant is likely much more widespread in the community than (we are aware of)," Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said.

The announcement comes two weeks after the first case of the U.K. variant was found in the county on Jan. 27.

"People should be aware that a more contagious variant is in our midst, and that people need to continue to be very, very careful," Arkoosh said.

None of the four new cases — who range from the mid-20s to early 70s in age — have experienced severe symptoms, Arkoosh said. She did not say specifically where cases were found, but confirmed that the exposure did not come from travel, large community events, or other high-risk.

Additionally, none of the individuals who contracted the virus have received the COVID-19 vaccine.

The "B117" United Kingdom variant of the virus is one of several variants that have popped up around the world in recent months. The U.K. variant is believed to be about one and a half times more contagious than the original variant. However, it's not yet known if it's more deadly.

Confirming new cases of the U.K. variant is challenging, Arkoosh said, because the genomic testing required to detect the strain is not widely available.