HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Governor David Ige confirmed over the weekend the presence of a more contagious variant of the coronavirus after an Oahu resident with no history of travel tested positive.

Known as the B.1.1.7 variant, the virus was originally detected in the United Kingdom. It is highly transmissible and leads to a more rapid spread than other common COVID-19 strains, according to the State Department of Health (DOH).

“We are concerned about the presence of the B.1.1.7 variant in Hawaii because more contagious strains can lead to an increase in case rates and ultimately require a higher percentage of people to get vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char.

The DOH described that the infected individual initially experienced symptoms in late January, while a close contact who also tested positive for COVID-19 is being tested for the said variant.

“We have already initiated contact tracing investigations and are monitoring these cases closely,” explained Acting State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble.

“The good news is that we know how to slow the spread, and we’ve proven we can be successful in taking these measures,” Governor Ige assured. “We are not helpless against this variant. We can fight it by doing these simple, everyday things. We are not helpless against this highly transmissible variant. We can fight it by getting vaccinated and taking everyday actions such as wearing masks, distancing, washing hands and staying home when sick.”

(Eagle News Service)