The more contagious variant of the coronavirus has been found in Southern California, Gov. Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom Beverly Hills Restaurant Apologizes For Handing Out Invitations To Indoor ‘Speakeasy’ Dinners Amid State Ban Campaign To Recall Newsom Gets First Six-Digit Donations 2020’s Historic Firsts And What To See In The New Year MORE (D) said Wednesday.
Newsom made the announcement at the start of a live stream conversation with Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciBiden gives sober warning for the way forward on coronavirus Fauci: ‘I didn’t think about going to the office Fauci: you’ have to assume ‘pandemic is going to worsen MORE, the government’s top infectious disease expert, and did not provide details on the case except that it is located in Southern California.
The development comes after Colorado officials on Tuesday announced the first confirmed US case of the new variant, which was first identified in the UK.
Colorado has announced one confirmed case and one possible case, meaning California could have the third known case in the US
Officials said at a press conference later on Wednesday that the case of the new variant in California is a man in his 30s in San Diego County with no travel history, again indicating that the variant is spreading to some degree in the community. The man is not hospitalized and contacts are being sought. There was one family contact, officials said.
“Since there is no travel history, we don’t think this is an isolated case in San Diego County,” said County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher.
Fauci said in conversation with Newsom that the new case is no surprise and that he expects more cases of the new variant to be reported in other states soon.
“I’m not surprised you have a case and probably more cases in California, and we’ll probably see reports from other states,” he said.
Fauci offered reassurance that while the new variant appears to be more transmissible, it does not appear to cause more serious disease or evade protection from vaccines.
“There is no evidence at all that it increases virulence,” Fauci said, noting that the National Institutes of Health and other laboratories are studying it closely for more information.
The announcement comes because Southern California has been hit particularly hard by the virus and hospitals there are under tremendous pressure.
Health officials are urging people to take the same precautions against the new variant of the virus, including wearing masks, avoiding indoor gatherings with other households, keeping their distance, and washing hands.
Updated at 6:21 PM