BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The first confirmed case of the COVID-19 U.K. variant has been reported in Whatcom County.
The Whatcom County Health Department says it was notified Monday that the variant had been detected in a Whatcom County resident.
County Health Officer Dr. Greg Stern says they expected it to be identified in Whatcom County as it has been present in neighboring counties for several weeks.
The variant transmits infection more effectively than the original strain, and there is some recent but unconfirmed evidence that it may increase the risk of hospitalization or death.
The two authorized vaccines have not shown decreased effectiveness with this variant.