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Dallas County identifies its first known case of UK coronavirus variant

Coronavirus test
Posted at 12:29 PM, Jan 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-16 13:29:55-05

Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) announced the first known case in Dallas County of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the United Kingdom.

This is the third case identified within the State of Texas to date.

According to DCHHS, the individual is a male resident of the City of Dallas in his 20’s, with no recent history of travel outside of the United States.

Results of genetic sequencing this week showed that the infection was caused by the variant. This is the first known case of this variant in a Dallas County resident, DCHHS said in a news release.

The first known Texas case of the COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant was identified in a resident of Harris County last week.

DCHHS says the individual is stable and is in isolation.

“It’s more important than ever to wear your mask around anyone you don’t live with, to maintain six foot distance from other masked individuals, wash your hands frequently, think of ways to avoid crowds by using tools like online shopping, curbside or delivery and outdoor exercise, and forgo get-togethers,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.

First identified in the United Kingdom this past September, the B.1.1.7 variant appears to spread more easily and quickly than other variants.

It does not appear to cause symptoms that are more serious.

“This is now the third identified case in Texas and we can assume there are more cases in our community due to the nature of this variant and how quickly it spreads. We must remain vigilant in our fight against this virus and continue all preventative and protective measures such as wearing our mask, washing our hands, and physical distancing,” said DCHHS Director Dr. Philip Huang.