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Phoenix
AZDHS, the Department of Public Health of Maricopa County, the Public Health Services of Pinal County and Arizona State University report that the variant (B.1.1.7) was confirmed in three state test samples.
While the variant is spreading faster, according to the statement, studies suggest that vaccines authorized to fight COVID-19 are still effective against the variant.
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.
The United Kingdom identified the new strain in the fall of 2020, with the first case of the variant detected in the United States in late December.
Health officials say it is typical for viruses to change by mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to appear over time. Some new variants appear and disappear, according to the press release, while others appear and persist.
The state health department is working with laboratory and public health partners, including the Centers for Disease Control, to monitor the situation, according to the statement.
Health officials are urging people to follow proven mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and washing hands.
Arizona health officials reported 5,028 new coronavirus cases and 203 additional deaths from COVID-19 on Friday.
The state’s documented totals moved to 748,260 infections and 13,022 deaths, according to the Arizona Department of Health’s COVID-19 dashboard.