More cases of highly contagious COVID-19 variant confirmed in Colorado

DENVER — Colorado now has three confirmed cases of the highly contagious COVID-19 variant (or new version) that was first discovered in the United Kingdom, according to a January 7 press release from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).

Colorado was the first state in the country to identify a case of the B.1.1.7 variant. The first case of the variant was announced December 29. The following day, Governor Jared Polis and CDPHE officials said the individual who tested positive with the B.1.1.7 version of the virus was a member of the Colorado National Guard who had been deployed to the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Simla, Colorado, earlier in the month to help with a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. Polis said that 100% of the residents at the nursing home had tested positive for the coronavirus.

The second confirmed case of the variant was another member of the Colorado National Guard helping out at that same nursing home.

The third case, announced the evening of January 7, is a staff member at the Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons. CPDHE says another staff member there is a “possible case.”

“Scientists in the United Kingdom believe the B.1.1.7 variant to be more contagious than previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, though no more severe in symptoms,” the press release from CDPHE read. “In addition, the currently approved vaccines are thought to be effective against this variant.”

Read the full press release from CDPHE below:

REMOTE, Jan. 7: Colorado Department of Public Health Environment has confirmed two additional cases of the B.1.1.7 variant in the state, as well as a possible case with the S drop out profile that is pending genome sequencing results. The state gave isolation orders to the two confirmed and one possible case, and quarantine orders to their close contacts.

The state confirmed its first case of the variant and announced a possible case on Dec. 29. On Jan. 6, the state lab changed the status of that initial possible case to confirmed. With today’s confirmed case, the total is three.

Public health officials discovered today’s third confirmed case and one possible case in staff members at the Veterans Community Living Center at Fitzsimons operated by the Colorado Department of Human Services. The facility is conducting routine testing; currently no additional possible cases with the B.1.1.7 have been identified. The facility will continue regular testing.

Epidemiologists are closely monitoring the situation and are conducting an investigation on any further potential exposure.

Scientists in the United Kingdom believe the B.1.1.7 variant to be more contagious than previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, though no more severe in symptoms. In addition, the currently approved vaccines are thought to be effective against this variant.

Coloradans can protect themselves from the B.1.1.7 variant in the same ways they can protect themselves from the prominent SARS-CoV-2 strain by following public health protocols-- hand washing, mask wearing, physical distancing, and avoiding gatherings.

The Colorado state lab was the first in the country to quickly identify the first variant case through sophisticated analysis of testing samples. The state lab is now screening all samples they receive for the S drop out profile associated with the B 1.1.7 variant. CDPHE has also asked other labs in the state to submit batches of positive tests so they, too, can be screened.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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