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The first case of the fast-spreading, highly contagious strain of Covid-19 in the U.S. was reported in Colorado today, according to health officials in the state. The variant, believed to be up to 70 percent more transmittable than the more popular strain, was first detected in the United Kingdom by scientists of the country.
Health officials said the case in Colorado was found in a man in his 20s, in Elbert County, who had no travel history. The man was placed in isolation after a state lab confirmed the variant's presence in his body, and the details of the case were provided to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
The scientists say the mutation of the new strain changes the spike protein found on the surface of the virus by increasing its ability to latch onto human cells — allowing the virus to spread 70 percent faster than the dominant strain.
The new Covid-19 variant has at least 23 new genetic changes, which is an unusually high number, according to the scientists. The spike protein contains amino acids that use furin, a body enzyme that breaks down cell coatings and allows Covid-19 to penetrate.
On Thursday, the CDC announced that the U.S. would require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight.
Airline passengers from the United Kingdom will need to get negative COVID-19 tests within three days of their trip and provide the results to the airline, the CDC said in a statement. The order took effect on Monday.
“If a passenger chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger,” the CDC said in its statement.
The agency said because of travel restrictions in place since March, air travel to the U.S. from the U.K. is already down by 90 percent.
