A paramedic prepares the Covid-19 vaccination dose at the Los Angeles Fire Department fire station. | Mario Tama / Getty Images
The most contagious type of coronavirus, known for the first time in South Africa, has been discovered in California for the first time, state-run Gavin News reported Wednesday.
The state has identified two such cases, Newsom May said: one in Alameda County and one in Santa Clara County, both of which are part of the larger San Francisco Bay Area.
In late January, South Carolina was the first state in South Africa to detect a known variable case. It has since been found in Virginia, Maryland and Texas.
Why it’s important: These different types of viruses spread more easily than previous strains, presenting an additional risk. Researchers are still evaluating the current effectiveness of the vaccine in the treatment of variants.
Although efforts to curb California’s epidemic may be curtailed, transmission rates and the number of hospitalizations are declining and the state is making gradual progress on vaccinating more people. A further 159 cases of the first variant in the UK and 1,000 different cases of the West Coast have also been identified in the state of California.
“The issue of change is on the mind,” Newsme said.
