First case of worrisome coronavirus variant from Brazil found in California
San Francisco Chronicle / March 17th, 2021
The first case of a concerning coronavirus variant that’s become dominant in parts of Brazil has been identified in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The P.1 variant has mutations similar to the B.1.351 variant from South Africa, and both are somewhat resistant to antibodies generated by vaccines or natural infection. The P.1 variant in particular is associated with cases of reinfection in Brazil and is thought to have fueled a second wave there.
Both variants also are believed to be more infectious than earlier versions of the virus.
California public health officials did not immediately say Wednesday where in California the P.1 variant was detected. The CDC reports only state-level data, not county-level.
Link (and paywall): https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/First-case-of-worrisome-coronavirus-variant-from-16033209.php
According to the link, four cases of the B.1.351 South Africa variant have now been found in California. At least three of those are in the Bay Area: two in Alameda County and one in Santa Clara County.