Fast-Spreading COVID-19 Variant Confirmed In Washington State

OLYMPIA, WA — A rapidly-spreading variant of the coronavirus has made its way to Washington, according to the state's top health officials.

The Washington State Department of Health confirmed Saturday that two Snohomish County residents had been found carrying the mutant strain — and that more are likely carrying it as well, but have yet to be detected.

"While finding the B.1.1.7 variant is concerning, we knew it was only a matter of time before we found evidence of it here in Washington." said Dr. Umair Shah, Washington's Secretary of Health. "That said, the health and safety of all Washingtonians remains our top priority."

The strain, sometimes called the "B.1.1.7 variant" or "SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01" was first detected in the United Kingdom back in September. The variant is especially worrying, as studies have found that it spreads much more easily and quickly than the first COVID-19 strain. It does not, however, cause more severe illnesses or further increase the risk of death.

While the two Snohomish County residents are the first to be found carrying the variant in Washington, they're very unlikely to be the last: the Centers for Disease Control predict that the fast-spreading variant will become the dominant strain of the disease in the U.S. within the next few months. As of Friday, there had been 195 confirmed cases of the variant strain in the country, spread across 22 states.

Still, it's unfortunate news for the evergreen state. Health officials have been warning that this variant could push Washington's already dangerously high transmission rate over the cliff.

"We need to expect the coronavirus equivalent of a Mount St. Helens-like eruption sometime in the next few months. That's because a more transmissible strain can cause a viral eruption in infections, hospitalizations and deaths that can overwhelm our hospital," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County's health officer.

Related: King County Warns Variant Strain Could Stir Coronavirus 'Volcano'

The two cases of the variant strain were first identified by UW Medicine's Virology Lab, who will continue the search to catch any other cases of the variant that may crop up.

“We thought this variant of concern was here, and now we know it’s here. It was a huge team effort by the UW Medicine Virology Lab and required development of several new rapid tests to detect and confirm it,” said Dr. Alex Greninger, assistant professor for UW Medicine's Clinical Virology Lab.

In the meantime, the DOH warns that it is more critical than ever to follow COVID-19 safety regulations.

“Now that this variant has been found, it underscores the absolute importance of doubling down on all the prevention measures to protect Washingtonians against COVID-19,” Shah said.

They're reminding everyone: wear a mask while in social settings, keep gatherings outside when possible and avoid indoor events, to wash hands often, and to get tested if they have been exposed to COVID-19.