(Douglas County, NE) -- Nebraska’s first case of the U.K. variant of COVID-19, known as B.1.1.7, has been confirmed in Douglas County.
The Douglas County Health Department says the Nebraska Public Health Lab uncovered the variant in a woman in her 20's.
“This is not a surprise as this variant has been found in 45 other states,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “This strain is more easily transmitted, but the available vaccines have shown to be effective against it.”
DCHD says a thorough review of the case, which already has undergone contact tracing, is underway. “This is one more good reason for people to continue to mask-up, practice social distancing, and get vaccinated,” Dr. Pour added.