The mutations in this coronavirus variant seem to allow for easier spread.
Pennsylvania Health Secretary Rachel Levine said in a statement that the patient in Dauphin County tested positive after international exposure, and is well after having only mild symptoms. Contact tracers found, identified and are monitoring the patient s close contacts.
Frederic Bushman, a microbiologist at Penn Medicine, told NBC10 that genetic sequencing work has shown what makes the UK variant of the virus different from other known versions.
The UK variant has mutations that changed the spike protein, which the virus uses to break into human cells in an infection.
What do we know about this mutant strain?
Scientists in the United Kingdom say the variant is more contagious than previously identified strains, with one study estimating it is 56% more contagious. But the COVID-19 vaccines are believed to be effective against it, and data suggests the new strain doesn t cause more severe illness.
Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new restrictions for U.K. travelers, requiring them to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours.
It is important to note that a mutation is not surprising in and of itself. There have been multiple variants since the coronavirus was first identified in China one year ago. It is the natural evolution of viruses to make slight edits over time.
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Registered nurses swab patients during testing for COVID-19 organized by Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, at Mifflin Square Park in South Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Pennsylvania reported 8,545 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 622,349 since the start of the pandemic. As of 11:59 p.m. on Monday, the state reported 267 new fatalities, for a total death toll of 15,353.
There are 5,995 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, close to double the peak in the spring. Of that number, 1,174 are in the intensive care unit. The majority of hospitalizations and deaths have occurred in patients 65 and older.
UpdatedTue, Dec 22, 2020 at 2:14 pm ET
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The restrictions will be in place through mid January, officials said Tuesday, but some restrictions could be lifted by Jan. 4. (Shutterstock)
PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia officials announced the city s ban on indoor dining, gatherings, gym operations, and more has been extended through mid January.
During a news conference Tuesday, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said the city has extended the ban on certain activities through Jan. 15. It s too risky to end the restrictions on Jan. 1 or Jan. 4, Farley said. The city s restrictions were initially planned to end on Jan. 1. The state s restrictions are set to expire on Jan. 4.
Healthcare workers across NJ and Delaware are vaccinated as Philly looks to start vaccinations
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia officials provide COVID-19 response update as the first doses of the Pfizer vaccine arrived Monday just days after it was approved for emergency use.
Nationwide, shipments of precious frozen vials of vaccine made by Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech began arriving at hospitals.
Philadelphia officials provide coronavirus update
Philadelphia officials provide update on COVID-19 vaccinations citywide.
With a high-five, Dr. Kelly Abbrescia is off with her first round of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
“Everyone in healthcare is exhausted. We are exhausted and the only light at the end of the tunnel is this vaccine to stop this virus,” Dr. Abbrescia stated.