Model of a coronavirus cell (CDC via AP, File) WALLA WALLA, Wash. — Two cases of COVID-19 variants that originated overseas have been detected in Walla Walla County over the course of the last week. According to an alert from the Unified Command of Walla Walla County Emergency Management, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has been identifying COVID-19 variants throughout the state using genome sequencing. Over the course of the past week, the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health (DCH) was informed that the Delta and Gamma variants were detected in COVID specimens collected in the county. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) originated in India. It’s known to be highly transmissible and spreads from one person to another much easier than your average COVID-19 infection. The Gamma variant (P.1) has 17 unique mutations that originated in Brazil.