Doctor says we need to be one step ahead of the variant Share Updated: 3:53 PM PST Feb 16, 2021 Angela Rozier Share Updated: 3:53 PM PST Feb 16, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript OF THE VIRUS. ANGELA: AS THE VACCINE GETS INTO MORE ARMS HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE TREASURE COAST, ONE LOCAL DR. IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VARIANCE THAT ARE OUT THERE. DR. MOTI RAMGOPAL IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST. HIS CLINIC, THE MIDWAY SPECIALTY CARE CENTER, IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THOSE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE GET THE SHOT. HE’S KEEPING AN EYE ON THE U.K. VARIANT. >> THERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS COMING OUT THAT THE VACCINE WILL PROTECT AGAINST THE U.K VARIANT TO SOME EXTENT, AND THAT’S REALLY, REALLY GOOD NEWS. ANGELA: HE’S ALSO FOLLOWING THE VARIANTS OUT OF SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANT AND BRAZIL. HE SAYS WE NEED TO STAY ONE STEP AHEAD. >> OUR CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW IS TESTING FOR THOSE VARIANTS. HOW DO WE GET THESE TESTING DONE? THERE ARE VERY FEW COMMERCIAL LABS DOING IT. THE CDC IS NOT REACHING OUT TO GET IT DONE. I REQUESTED ONE PATIENT YESTERDAY ARE A FEW DAYS AGO TO GET WHAT W CALLS SEQUENCING OF THIS VIRUS, AND IT IS SO DIFFICULT. ANGELA: ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE COVID-19 DAILY UPDATE ON FEBRUARY 10, THE CDC HAS INCREASED GENOME SEQUENCING EFFORTS TENFOLD IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY NOVEL CORONAVIRUS VARIANTS. >> I THINK IT’S SOMEWHAT EMBARRASSING THAT THIS COUNTRY, IN THIS DAY, YOU LOOK A THE U.K AND THE RESEARCH GOING ON AT THE U.K AND THE REST OF THE WORLD , AND WE ARE PLAYING CATCH UP RIGHT NOW. WE SHOULD BE THE LEADER IN RESEARCH IN THIS AREA AND WE ARE