With fears over a surge in cases, experts say it s critical to reduce infections.
“We’re trying to combat the U.K. variant right now. We know that it’s 50 percent more transmissible,” Castiel said. “We need to be very vigilant about the washing of the hands, the distancing and then wearing double masking is in particular important during these times.”
Here s everything you need to know about its presence in New England.
What is the UK variant?
The B.1.1.7 variant has several mutations that affect the spike protein on the virus surface that attaches to human cells. This particular coronavirus strain is known to spread more easily and has caused a rapid surge of cases in the U.K. and several other countries.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Sunday announced 19 additional cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant. Testing completed at the State Public Health Laboratory has identified 19 infections of the B.1.1.7 variant, originally identified in the Unite
Nineteen more cases of the highly contagious United Kingdom variant of COVID-19 have been detected in Massachusetts, bringing the total number of known cases infected with this strain in the commonwealth to 29, state health officials announced Sunday. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, only four of the total 29 cases have evidence of recent travel, suggesting that.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
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Massachusetts Department of Public Health Sunday announced 19 additional cases of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant. Testing completed at the State Public Health Laboratory has identified 19 infections of the B.1.1.7 variant, originally identified in the United Kingdom (UK), bringing the total number of cases known to be infected with this variant of the virus to 29 in the Commonwealth.
The first case in the United States was identified in late December 2020 and in Massachusetts on January 17, 2021.
Cases have ranged in age from 4 years to-almost 70; they include 13 females and 16 males.
There have been 17 cases in Worcester County, one in Hampden County, 2 in Middlesex County, 6 in Norfolk County, 2 in Plymouth County, and 1 in Suffolk County.