Governor Larry Hogan today announced that state health officials have confirmed a case of COVID-19 in a Maryland resident caused by the new P.1 variant of the coronavirus, which is commonly known as the Brazil variant. The variant’s presence in Maryland was confirmed by the Maryland Department of Health in consultation with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Scientists are working rapidly to learn more about the P.1 variant, including how effective current vaccines are against it. The variant is believed to be more transmissible than the initial strain of the virus that causes COVID-19, but it is not currently known whether the P.1 variant causes more severe disease than other common variants. It is expected that currently available diagnostic tests will detect the P.1 variant.
The case announced today involves an adult older than 65 from the National Capital Region, who recently passed away following international travel. Comprehensive contact tracing efforts are underway to ensure that potential contacts are quickly identified, quarantined, and tested.
“State public health officials are closely monitoring the P.1 variant, and we mourn the loss of this Marylander to COVID-19” said Governor Hogan. “As we continue to test for these variants, we strongly encourage Marylanders to continue taking precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including mask wearing, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.”
The new variant is one of the predominant strains in Brazil. It was first identified in the United States at the end of January.
Viruses constantly change, or mutate, and new variants of viruses are expected to occur over time. The Brazil variant is the third coronavirus variant of concern identified in Maryland. The first such variant identified in Maryland was the UK variant (B.1.1.7), which MDH announced on January 12. The second variant identified in Maryland was the South Africa variant (B.1.351), which was first identified in Maryland in late January.
While the case announced today was identified in an individual with a history of travel, many cases of variants of concern have not been connected with travel. These non-travel-related cases indicate that community transmission of other variants of concern may be occurring and reinforce the need for public health precautions.
The CDC tracks case counts of different virus strains identified in the United States on its website.
COVID-19 information and resources are available at covidLINK.maryland.gov. COVID-19 data are available at coronavirus.maryland.gov.
Hogan has joined the deep state … he’s turned on all of us … we need to recall
Shut it down. Total lock down unless you work at Big box stores. Do not go to the hospital or doctor. Please be safe and shop at Walmart or a liquor store. Thanks.
Lucky Lockdown Larry now has a “reason” to keep businesses choked down to death or near death for another few months, and he’s feeling the thrill up his leg. Now that we have herd immunity, he will be wanting another vaccine.
But, you know, “Welcome to Maryland, we’re open for business!”
Yet the numbers reported the state continue to crash. We must come up with something else to steal more freedom from the American people
Holy Sh-t. Good thing ole’ hog-ass hogan does not have the power to shut down the world. Although, ole’ hog-ass might try, and he would be in favor of it. Ole’ hog-ass wants control since he can’t control his wife—who actually controls him. Pathetic pos’s. And he wants to be president someday (Mrs President maybe)???? Well he might have a shot at NK, but his wife will have to defect—again. What a piece of garbage ole’ fat-ass/hog-ass hogan is. Hey hog-ass. I got a bunch of covid test kits. I found them in the garbage and I can sell you real cheap. Maybe 100 kits for $1.00—OBO. Marylanders are looking for a little (very little) return on their tax dollars sent to SK for the same kits.
already had it was nothing over it already havent wore a mask since March getem sheep wear your double masks stay in your basements and shut the world down. YOU ARE TOO DAMN STUPID TO BE OUT ON YOUR OWN