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The first two known cases of the infectious B.1.117 U.K. variant of COVID in Contra Costa County have been confirmed by laboratory results, county health officials said Tuesday.
The variant, believed to have originated in the United Kingdom, is more contagious than others and possibly more deadly, officials said.
“This is a reminder that even though COVID numbers are falling, we need to continue using all our tools to prevent another surge: wear masks in public, continue to physically distance, avoid both indoor and large gatherings, and get vaccinated when it’s your turn,” Dr. Chris Farnitano, the county’s health officer, said in a statement.
Farnitano said there are likely many more in the community that have not been detected. “We can’t say how widespread it is in Contra Costa, but it’s concerning,” he said.
Farnitano said the South African variant, which has also raised concern, has not been detected in Contra Costa yet, but that it should be assumed it is also circulating in California.
The U.K. variants were discovered as part of laboratory surveillance work during the pandemic, officials said. “One local person infected with the U.K. variant began displaying common COVID-19 symptoms such as cough and muscle aches and was able to isolate at home,” officials said in a news release. “The other Contra Costa resident reported having multiple symptoms, including runny nose, cough, headache and loss of smell and taste.”
Contra Costa data and COVID-19 health information is available online at cchealth.org/coronavirus.
It would be nice to know in which cities this new COVID-19 variant is in… How about some transparency?
“It would be nice to know in which cities this new COVID-19 variant is in… How about some transparency?”
To be fair to the County, they have been reporting cases and deaths by city, hospitalization and testing data for the better part of a year.
Go here: https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org
Locate the Dashboards Menu. The data is very comprehensive. And FYI, they reported only 40 new cases on the 15th and 107 yesterday. With the exception of Richmond, Antioch, Concord and Pittsburg, there isn’t much Covid being found in CoCo County. I’d keep my fingers crossed that they somehow contain this new strain.
I would like to know where this “new variant” is located. I would like to know if it’s in Danville, San Ramon, Richmond, Antioch. I know all about the website…I’m all over the information on the website. I check it daily!
Ask Geoff Gillette at the city of Danville how many reports he got on a “Lounge” in town who regularity broke rules by no masks—private parties indoors—packed ppl etc. He feigns ignorance even though he got numerous communications for the last number of MONTHS from various sources. Do your job or get out.
Hi Ana,
I’m sorry you feel I did not provide an appropriate response regarding complaints about a local business. Any time I receive a complaint about someone violating the health order, I forward it to the Danville Police Department. Chief Shields is aware of any complaint I receive and he makes sure it is dealt with appropriately. A business that is found to be in violation is cited according to the health order.
That is the limit of actions I can take in these matters. I am not a police officer, nor am I responsible for enforcing the health order. When I get information, I make sure the relevant authority receives it.
This is a very frustrating time and it can be very difficult given the constraints we are under. In the future, I would suggest that if you see a business violating the order, and you need an officer to respond immediately, please call 911 so dispatch can have an officer check it out at the time it is occurring.
Thank you.
Geoff Gillette
Public Information Officer
Town of Danville
ggillette@danville.ca.gov
(925) 314-3336