Scientists in Los Angeles are trying to find out if the rapidly growing strain of coronavirus that fuels a huge increase in cases in the UK is behind a similar increase in California.
The mutation is up to 70 percent more contagious, but does not appear to be more lethal.
COVID-19 is out of control in Los Angeles County and other parts of California, despite blockades and other efforts to stop the spread, with the state passing 2 million cases on Christmas Eve.
Officials have blamed the increase in holiday gatherings and travel, but also point to more mundane activities, such as shopping, as potential causes of continued spread, and LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is wondering if the new variant of The virus could be behind the huge numbers.
“It simply came to our notice then. Everyone I’ve talked to has said that this acceleration exceeds any model and any expectation, so people say “What went wrong?” and I have to believe that it’s partly the strain that existed there, “Garcetti said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said a public health lab is starting gene sequencing to test for virus samples collected there, but it will take about a week to get the results.