1st Case Of South African Coronavirus Variant Confirmed In NC

NORTH CAROLINA — A coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa has made its way to North Carolina, public health officials said this week.

A North Carolina resident in the central part of the state was confirmed to be carrying the B.1.351 variant, however, had not recently traveled, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said Thursday.

According to state public health officials, the variant is considered to be a more contagious form of coronavirus, however does not seem to be any more severe.

"While we anticipated the arrival of the B.1.351 variant in NC, it’s a reminder that the fight against COVID-19 is not over," DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen said in a statement. "The emergence of variants that are more infectious means it’s more important than ever to do what we know works to slow the spread — wear a mask, wash your hands, wait 6 feet apart, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn."

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Cases of the South African coronavirus variant were first identified in the U.S. at the end of January, and researchers are working to determine if currently approved vaccines will offer the same level of protection against it and other variants, according to the IDPH.

Jason Addy, Patch Staff, contributed