More contagious, more dangerous COVID-19 variant found in Sauk Co.

SAUK COUNTY, Wis. (WMTV) - A COVID-19 variant that appears to be more contagious and cause more severe symptoms was discovered in Sauk Co.

On Thursday, the Sauk Co. Health Dept. reported a person in the county has tested positive for the variant strain B.1.427. Public Health Director Treemanisha Stewart described the discovery of a more transmissible version of coronavirus “concerning” and urged people to remain vigilant.

“With this new strain being present in our county, it is even more important that we all continue to wear a mask, watch our distance, and wash our hands to stop the spread of COVID-19,” she explained.

COVID-19 Variant of Concern Identified in Sauk County Public Health Urges the Continued Wearing of Masks An individual...
Posted by Sauk County Health Department on Thursday, April 1, 2021

It may be the first recorded case in Wisconsin as the latest Dept. of Health Services update shows no other confirmed cases of the variant in the state.

The new strain, which was first discovered in California last summer, was recently upgraded to “variant of interest status” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That classification means the agency has found evidence that it is easier to transmit and evidence it symptoms are more severe.

While this could potentially be the first case of this variant. DHS records indicate there were 78 instances of the U.K. variant, two people with the South African strain, and one person with a strain that originated in Brazil.