By VICKI BROWN
vbrown@lowcountry.com
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Jan. 28, the detection of two cases of a variant strain of COVID in the state. These cases are associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant strain that first emerged in South Africa. These are the first two cases in the United States.
A virus can constantly change and morph into different variations and strains. Some can cause the virus to spread faster or develop more severe symptoms. In this situation, little has changed.
State public health officials were notified late Jan. 27 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a COVID sample tested at LabCorp was determined to be the new B.1.351 strain recently discovered in South Africa. Unfortunately, within the same week, DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory tested samples on Jan. 25 and were able to identify a separate case containing the same variant.
In the last year, DHEC’s Lab has been randomly testing COVID samples to see if the virus had begun to mutate. It seems as though this could be a strong possibility.
So what about the new vaccine?
Most experts believe that the existing vaccine will work to protect people from this new strain. It appears as though this new variant of COVID does not make anyone more severely ill, it just spreads faster and is more contagious.
“The arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 variant in our state is an important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited. Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.”
According to officials, there is no known travel history and no connection between these two cases. Both are adults; one from the Lowcountry and one from the Pee Dee region. This means that COVID could actually spread faster than it already has.
Walterboro City Council and Colleton County Council unanimously voted on Jan. 6 to continue the mask ordinance and social distancing restrictions indefinitely. While most residents are complying, it is now vital that everyone complies and that susceptible individuals continue to quarantine, especially in lieu of the I-95 and Hwy 17 visitors that stop in this area.
The B.1.351 variant has been identified in more than 30 countries but not in the United States until now. The new variant in the United Kingdom, called B.1.1.7, also spreads faster and is more contagious but is different from the South African strain.
“We know that viruses mutate to live and live to mutate,” Dr. Traxler said. “That’s why it’s critical that we all continue to do our part by taking small actions that make a big difference. These include wearing our masks, staying at least six feet apart from others, avoiding large crowds, washing our hands, getting tested often, and when we can, getting vaccinated. These are the best tools for preventing the spread of the virus, no matter the strain.”
S.C. DHEC, working with the CDC, will continue monitoring COVID-19 variants. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine go to scdhec.gov/vaxfacts. For the latest information about COVID-19, go to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
