3rd COVID-19 Variant Detected In Wisconsin

MADISON, WI—The Wisconsin Department of Health Services confirmed on Friday the first case of a potentially more severe COVID-19 variant that originated in Brazil.

The newest variant, P.1, was first discovered in four travelers from Brazil who were tested at an airport near Tokyo, Japan, in early January. Researchers have found that this new strain, similar to B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, according to a news release.

However, this variant has unique mutations that may affect the ability of antibodies, generated through previous COVID-19 infection or through vaccination, to recognize and fight off the virus. This means variant P.1 may be able to more easily infect people.

According to an Associated Press report, there have been 78 cases in Wisconsin of the B117 variant first identified in the U.K., up from 55 last week. There are two confirmed Wisconsin cases of a third variant, first detected in South Africa.

In Wisconsin, strain P.1 was confirmed through ongoing surveillance and whole genome sequencing, a routine practice since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

State health officials continue to work together to ensure whole genome sequencing is performed on a portion of positive tests and continue to ramp up the effort.

Health officials said it is essential to continue public health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Vaccine is one of many important tools we have to stop the spread of COVID-19. Studies show that the current available vaccines do provide protection against variants, but this is being closely investigated," the news release said.

A recent laboratory study published in the New England Journal of Medicine said the vaccine from Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE was able to neutralize a new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Brazil.

According to DHS, 1,001,142 people in Wisconsin are fully vaccinated. 1,707,247 have at least one dose. That’s about 37% of the eligible population.

Writing and reporting from the Associated Press was used for this report.