Today, state public health officials announced that Colorado’s first case of the COVID-19 variant (B.1.1.7) was found in eastern Elbert County, CO. This is the same variant discovered in the UK. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is doing a thorough investigation into this case and will continue to update the County and the state on their findings. Governor Polis and State officials will provide further details at a press conference tomorrow morning (Wednesday, Dec. 30).
According to an earlier press release from CDPHE, scientists in the United Kingdom believe the B.1.1.7 variant is more contagious than previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, but the symptoms are no more severe. Additionally, the approved vaccines, now in circulation in the US, are thought to be effective against this variant.
Elbert County will continue to work closely with the state and our public health partners. We will share updates with the community as we receive them.
For the latest information from the state, visit colorado.gov/governor/news and covid19.colorado.gov.