MAKO Medical Laboratories, in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) has identified the first instance of the new variant of the novel coronavirus in the state. The partnership has found an occurrence of the B1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 in South Carolina. There have now been more than 300 cases of this particular variant found in 28 states across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).