Experts are watching closely because the data show several different COVID-19 variants appearing in Massachusetts.
In Massachusetts, 441 cases of the British variant, four cases of the Brazilian variant and nine cases of the South African variant were reported, according to the data of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state lab is sequencing the three variants to see if they cause an increase in Massachusetts cases.
“I am still concerned about the latest data and the apparent stand we see in the trajectory of the pandemic,” said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. “The decisions we are making now will determine what the pandemic will look like in the coming days and weeks.”
Experts say the British version is likely to become the dominant strain in the country by mid-April.
Despite a growing number of vaccinated residents, Massachusetts has seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the past week. More than 1.1 million people are now fully vaccinated, state data show.
Vaccines are still effective against these variants, according to experts.
But health experts warn that the general level of infection in the country is still too high.
“I am often asked, ‘Are we turning the corner?’ “My answer is more like we’re around the corner,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical officer. It remains to be seen whether or not we will turn that corner. “