News Release
Jan. 7, 2021
The first known Texas case of the
COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant has been identified in a resident of Harris County.
The adult male resident, who has no history of travel, was recently diagnosed
with COVID-19. Results of genetic sequencing this week showed that the
infection was caused by the variant strain. The case is being investigated by
Harris County Public Health and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
“The fact that this person had no
travel history suggests this variant is already circulating in Texas,” said Dr.
John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “Genetic variations are the norm among
viruses, and it’s not surprising that it showed up here given how rapidly it
spreads. This should make us all redouble our commitment to the infection
prevention practices that we know work: masks any time you’re around
people you don’t live with, social distancing, and personal and environmental hygiene.”
The B.1.1.7 variant was first
identified in the United Kingdom in the fall and appears to spread much more
easily from person to person than most strains of the coronavirus. The current
scientific evidence is that the variant does not cause more severe disease and
that vaccines are expected to be effective against it. It is thought to be
responsible for only a small proportion of the current COVID-19 cases in Texas
and the United States.
The latest on COVID-19 in Texas is
available at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus, including daily case data and
information on testing and vaccination.
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(News Media Contact: pressofficer@dshs.texas.gov)