Three
cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, or more commonly referred to as the UK
Variant, have been detected in West Virginia. Forty-two other states have
reported 1,523 cases, including all the bordering states to West Virginia.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) has
collaborated with West Virginia University and Marshall University to conduct
whole genome sequencing which is used to detect this variant. The confirmed
cases are in the north central region of West Virginia.
“While
the presence of this COVID-19 variant in West Virginia is not surprising, it’s
a good motivator for us to double down on the prevention efforts we’ve had in
place for many months now,” said Dr. Ayne Amjad, State Health Officer and
Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health. “Now that we have this
confirmation, as Governor Justice always says; it’s not time to be fearful,
it’s time to be smart. All West Virginians should continue hand washing, social
distancing, proper mask wearing, testing, and everyone should get vaccinated
when it’s their turn.”
For more information on the UK variant,
please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html.
Free COVID-19 testing is available to
all West Virginia residents. For a list of testing events, please visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx.