MARYLAND

South African coronavirus variant found in Maryland COVID-19 case

Salisbury Daily Times

ANNAPOLIS, Md.— Gov. Larry Hogan announced Saturday afternoon that state health officials have identified the new B.1.351 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a Maryland resident.

The new variant caused a case of COVID-19 in the Baltimore-area resident, confirmed by Maryland Department of Health in consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The strain first identified in South Africa has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of death when compared to other variants — although B.1.351 is believed to be more transmissible than other strains.

FILE - This 2020 electron microscope image provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Rocky Mountain Laboratories shows SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which cause COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S., emerging from the surface of cells cultured in a lab. Viruses are constantly mutating, with coronavirus variants circulating around the globe. (NIAID-RML via AP)

It was first identified in the United States on Jan. 28 through two cases in South Carolina.

Viruses constantly change or mutate, and new variants of viruses are expected to occur over time.

The B.1.351 variant is the second variant of SARS-CoV-2 identified in Maryland. The first variant identified was B.1.1.7 — commonly known as “the UK variant” — on Jan. 12. Seven total cases of B.1.1.7 have been identified in Maryland since that time, according to the release.

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“State health officials are closely monitoring the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the state,” Hogan said in the press release Saturday. “We strongly encourage Marylanders to practice extra caution to limit the additional risk of transmission associated with this variant. Please continue to practice standard public health and safety measures, including mask wearing, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.”

A graph depicts the number of U.K. variant cases detected in the U.S. as of Jan. 22, 2021.

Additional research is required to determine effectiveness of available vaccines against the B.1.351 variant, according to the governor's office; however, initial evidence suggests the vaccines are still likely to be protective.

The individual identified with the South African strain had not traveled internationally, making community transmission likely.

Comprehensive contact tracing efforts are underway, according to the release, to ensure that potential contacts are quickly identified, quarantined and tested.