First case of UK COVID variant found in Middle Georgia
Courtesy: North Central Health District
Milledgeville, Ga — On Monday, state health officials announced they identified the first case of the UK COVID-19 variant in Middle Georgia.
"They are not hospitalized," said Michael Hokanson, spokesman for the 13-county North Central Health District (NCHD). He tells WGUR Radio the unnamed individual is from Houston County.
The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that B.1.1.7, commonly known as the UK variant, is more easily spread. Health officials in Britain have also reported that the variant could be 30% more deadly.
"Not every single COVID test is tested for variants," Hokanson said. It is only a random sample that represents a small fraction of the total number of tests. This means there are likely more unidentified cases of B.1.1.7 here in Middle Georgia. So when one is discovered, "you've found that needle in the haystack."
Local health officials hope this news will make the public recommit themselves to following guidelines on mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand-washing.