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The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed on Monday that 19 cases of the coronavirus variant have been found in metro Atlanta. (Shutterstock)
METRO ATLANTA, GA — Nearly 20 cases of the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 have been confirmed in metro Atlanta, the Georgia Department of Public Health said on Monday.
This is the same variant discovered in the U.K. and in several other countries and U.S. states. So far, no other COVID-19 variants have been identified in Georgia, the Department of Public Health said.
"The CDC has said this U.K. variant is likely to be the dominant strain in the U.S. by sometime in March," said Dr. Kathleen Toomey, Georgia Department of Public Health commissioner. "We must ensure we are taking every precaution right now to prevent transmission of COVID and to avoid a surge in hospitalizations and loss of life."