South Africa coronavirus variant detected in U.S.

South Carolina health officials reported Thursday the first documented cases in the United States of the B.1.351 variant of SARS-CoV-2 that was first detected in South Africa. According to the officials, the two adults have not traveled to South Africa, nor are they connected to one another. The B.1.351 variant has been detected in more than 30 countries so far, including the United Kingdom. The South Carolina officials said CDC notified them on Wednesday about a case of the new variant in their state, and then they separately identified a second case elsewhere in the state. The arrival of the new variant “is an important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said Brannon Traxler, MD, the state’s interim public-health director. “Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now.” CDC is studying the new variant, and it and laboratories nationwide are increasing their surveillance. The agency has recommended against international air travel for Americans and noted that its “recommendations for slowing the spread—wearing masks, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, avoiding crowds, ventilating indoor spaces, and washing hands often—will also prevent the spread of this variant.”