First Cases Of Brazilian COVID-19 Variant Detected In Arizona

PHOENIX ‒ On Friday, the Arizona Department of Health Services, the Yuma County Public Health Services District, and Translational Genomics Institute (TGen) reported that the P1 COVID-19 mutation, commonly referred to as the Brazilian variant, has been confirmed in three test samples from the state.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this variant of SARS-CoV-2, which spreads at a faster rate, was first detected in the U.S. at the end of January; however, studies suggest that the vaccines currently authorized for use are effective against it.

It’s not unexpected that new variants have developed – all viruses mutate as they make copies of themselves to spread and thrive.

Most of these differences are inconsequential. A few can even be harmful to the virus’s survival. But some can make it more infectious or threatening.

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