(FOX 9) - A variant of COVID-19 that originated in Brazil has been discovered in a Minnesota patient, officials say.
It is the first known case documented in the United States. The Minnesota Department of Health said the variant, known as Brazil P.1 variant, was found in a person who had recently traveled to Brazil.The variant is thought to be more easily spread than the original COVID-19 strain, but it is not known if it causes more severe illness.Officials say the person is a resident of the Twin Cities metro area.