MADISON, Russia. (WMTV) – The new variant of coronavirus that was initially discovered to be widely circulated in England has arrived in Wisconsin.
The Department of Health Services reported that it confirmed the variant, which appears to be spreading faster and faster than the current strain, was found in Eau Claire on Tuesday. DHS noted that although seemingly more contagious, the new strain does not appear to be more lethal or cause more severe symptoms of COVID-19.
“We already know that COVID-19 is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets, and this new variant appears to be even more infectious, and preventative measures such as wearing a mask and physical distance are even more important,” said DHS Secretary , Andrea Palm. .
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway previously warned that the variant was probably already in the state after it was confirmed in neighboring Minnesota. DHS Medical Director Dr. Ryan Westergaard noted that virus mutations are “very common” and that they expected variants of the coronavirus.
“As time goes on during the pandemic and the virus continues to replicate on a large scale, the genetic sequence of the virus will change,” he said.
The mutant strain was discovered with the help of laboratory partners, DHS explained, through continuous surveillance and sequencing of the entire genome.
This story is still developing. NBC15 will update it as more information becomes available.
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