COVID-19 Variant Confirmed by Mesa County Public Health

Mesa County Public Health made the announcement recently that a case of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed here in Mesa County. The woman identified as testing positive is in her 30s with no travel history. She also reported feeling no symptoms and was not hospitalized due to the illness.

The case was confirmed last Thursday, February 4th through testing done at the Mesa County Fairgrounds COVID-19 Community sampling site. After confirming the test Mesa County Public Health completed a case investigation and contacted the individual with isolation instructions as well as quarantine measures for anyone she has been in close contact with recently.

There have been very few COVID-19 variant cases in the state of Colorado, but we did have the first confirmed variant case within the country confirmed back on December 29th in Elbert County.

The strain that appeared in the test at Mesa County Fairgrounds is often referred to as the UK variant, which spreads quickly than the common forms of COVID-19. With so few cases of these variants, there is no proof that they lead to a worse illness, hospitalization, or death.

There are many scientists that agree that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines could create an immunity to these COVID-19 variants, but at this point no one is certain.

Mesa County Public Health wants to remind everyone that the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to wear a mask, maintain social distancing measures of 6 feet, limit contact with people outside of your household, wash your hands often, and make sure you stay home if you're feeling sick.