UK coronavirus variant now detected in all 50 US states, CDC says
From CNN’s Michael Nedelman
More than 15,000 cases of a coronavirus variant first spotted in the UK have been reported in all 50 US states for the first time by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to data updated Monday.
Florida leads in these numbers, with 3,191 known cases of the variant, which is known to be both more contagious and more deadly than earlier strains. Michigan, whose current surge has been partly connected to the variant, has the second highest number of known cases 1,649.
CDC’s update included two other variants of concern: There are 374 total cases of a variant initially seen in South Africa, called B.1.351, in 32 states and Washington, DC. In addition, there are 289 total cases of the P.1 variant first linked to Brazil among 25 states.