WA Variant Coronavirus Cases: See The Latest Numbers

OLYMPIA, WA — Two variant strains of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in Washington. Both are likely to gain a sizeable foothold in the state, so the state Department of Health is launching a new program to help residents track the virus variants as they spread.

It's a new, weekly update on genome sequencing and variant case counts. According to the first update, there have been 39 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant and one case of the B.1.351 variant detected in Washington so far.

The B.1.1.7 variant is sometimes called the U.K. variant as it was first identified in the United Kingdom. Studies suggest that while it does not cause more severe illnesses, the variant does spread faster and more easily than the predominant COVID-19 strain — so much faster that researchers have said it could become the dominant form of the virus in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the B.1.351 variant, first discovered in South Africa, also does not cause more severe illnesses but may be more resistant to vaccination. The first and only case in Washington thus far was found earlier this week.

The final variant of concern, P.1 variant, originated in Brazil and has not yet been detected in Washington.

The DOH says they will update the report to include new variants as they arise.

It's important to keep in mind that there could be more undetected variant cases in Washington, which is why the report also includes data explaining the state's ongoing genome sequencing efforts.

Sequencing is when laboratories scan a viral genome, studying RNA for mutations. Those mutations can help researchers track transmission, understand outbreaks, and identify variants.

Labs across Washington have performed genome sequencing on 8196 COVID-19 specimens since January 2020, around 2.6 percent of the state's total COVID-19 cases.

That may not seem like much, but CDC data shows it's one of the best rates in the nation, and enough to give the state department of health a rough idea of the variant's spread.

"By combining sequencing data with data from case and contact investigations, we can better detect outbreaks, identify and track new and emerging variants, and determine the effectiveness of public health control measures," said DOH epidemiologist Hanna Oltean.

Ideally, researchers say they would like to sequence 5 percent of Washington's COVID-19 cases for a fuller picture.

The SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing and Variants in Washington State report will be updated every Thursday and posted to the state COVID-19 data dashboard.