COVID-19 UK variant spreads in Tri-State COVID-19 UK variant spreads in Tri-State By Brady Williams | February 26, 2021 at 7:09 PM CST - Updated February 26 at 7:09 PM EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Researchers at Deaconess are identifying more patients with the UK variant 23 cases of the probable variant COVID-19 cases have been identified at Deaconess Hospital since January 12. Five of those cases were confirmed to be the United Kingdom variant of the disease. Variants occur when mutations happen in the virus’s genes. As the virus continues to spread, more virus is created, which increases the chances of a variant emerging. That ability to occur more frequently is why Dr. April Abbott, Director of Microbiology at Deaconess, says that it’s as important now as it’s ever been to wear masks and follow safety precautions.