First North Carolina Case Of COVID Variant Found In Mecklenburg County

The first case in North Carolina of a coronavirus variant has been identified in a Mecklenburg County patient. The "B.1.1.7" variant strain, originally detected in the United Kingdom in December, may be more contagious than the first novel strain.

"I'm not surprised we've been saying for a while that we suspect that it is here, it was really just a matter of time till we had it detected in North Carolina," said Zack Moore, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services epidemiologist.

NCDHHS said the case, which is the only identified case of the B.1.1.7 strain in the state, was confirmed by Mako Medical Laboratories in a Mecklenburg County adult. No additional information on the patient was released to protect their privacy.

"While expected, identification of this COVID-19 variant in North Carolina is concerning, especially at the same time as we are already seeing very high numbers of cases," said NCDHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen.

As of Friday (January 22), the B.1.1.7 strain has been identified in 195 cases in 21 states. Though this strain is thought to be more contagious, current COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective against it. Additionally, health officials continue to stress the importance of practicing the 3Ws and adhering to state orders.

"Viruses change all the time and we've seen lots of changes in COVID since our first cases in the United States," said Moore. "The things we that we know that protect us from getting infected will still protect us from this variant."

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