(Photo by Stephen Zenner / Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Two cases of the South African variant COVID-19 have been detected in Arizona, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
ADHS, the County Department of Public Health and the Maricopa Translational Genomics Research Institute, reported their findings in a press release on Friday.
The discovery comes two weeks after the Brazilian version was detected in the state.
The strain of variant B.1.351 COVID-19 – commonly referred to as the South African variant – was first detected in the US in late January, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The British version was also found in Arizona in January.
The CDC says currently authorized vaccines appear to be effective against this variant.
Officials say it is not yet known how widespread the variant may be in Arizona.
The state health department is working with laboratory and public health partners – including the CDC – to monitor the situation, according to the statement.
Health officials are urging the public to continue to follow proven mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and washing hands.