Health Officials Confirm Cases of New COVID-19 Variant in Georgia

January 28, 2021

A news article by 11Alive titled, "New Variant Strain of Coronavirus Confirmed in Metro Atlanta, Anticipated to 'Spread Quickly,''" takes statements from health officials concerning the spread of the new COVID-19 strain now that the United States has 144 new cases associated with the mutation.

Also known as the B.1.1.7 variant, the new COVID-19 strain was first identified in the U.K. and soon became the focus of several scientific studies. The strain is much more contagious than previous mutations of the virus, and health officials fear that it could be closer to becoming the dominant strain in the United States.

Georgia currently counts five new cases from this new variant, and experts anticipate that many more cases will be confirmed in the coming days. "It is even easier to acquire COVID now going out in public spaces than before because, with this variant, it's more easily spread," says Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health. She reminds the population about the need to apply the safety guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adding that a new surge of cases would put a strain on healthcare resources.

In the same vein, Cobb County health officials urged the public to follow public health measures more seriously after having identified a case associated with the new strain. They also anticipate a new wave of infections in different parts of the state.

According to Toomey, the new COVID-19 variant is sensitive to the vaccines that are currently making the rounds, but eligible individuals must still take precautions to avoid infection.

You can read the complete article here or click the link above: New Variant Strain of Coronavirus Confirmed in Metro Atlanta, Anticipated to 'Spread Quickly'.