UK Variant of COVID-19 Found in Summit County

A variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus was found in Summit County. Photo: Courtesy of CDC

Summit County, Utah – A Summit County woman between 20 and 44 years old has tested positive for the UK ariant of COVID-19. The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) confirmed this as the state’s third case of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant, frequently referred to as the UK variant.

“We fully anticipated we would find this strain in Utah. We know this strain is more transmissible than previous COVID-19 variants, and our hospitals continue to operate near or over capacity. So now, more than ever, Utah residents need to wear masks, practice physical distancing, and avoid large gatherings.,” said Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist

The COVID-19 vaccines currently approved for use are believed to be effective against this strain. The UK variant is believed to be more contagious than other strains of the COVID-19 virus. Frequent hand-washing and sanitization, wearing a mask, and social distancing are all measures proven to mitigate the spread of all strains of COVID-19.