The new U.K. coronavirus strain has been found in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. The coronavirus B.1.1.7.
variant is said to be more transmissible than COVID-19, but it is not thought to be more virulent or resistant to vaccines and treatment.
A study released by U.K. scientists found it to be 56 percent more contagious. The U.S. confirmed its first case of the variant Tuesday in an unidentified 20-something man in Colorado.
Newsom announced that the new strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was found in Southern California. Both cases involve members of the Colorado National Guard, who were deployed to help Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Simla, where there was a widespread outbreak.