First cases of ‘California variant’ COVID-19 strain found in Grant County

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Health District officials announced Monday the first three cases of the COVID-19 “California variant,” B.1.429, were confirmed in the first few days of April.

Misty Aguilar, GCHD public information officer, said the three people tested positive for coronavirus in late March and early April. None of the patients required hospitalization, and all are recovering, Aguilar said.

Presence of the variant was confirmed by testing at the Washington Department of Health Public Health Laboratory.

Grant County health officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny said in a release most coronavirus cases now identified in Washington are variants of the original disease.

“Most COVID variants are more infectious, and their severity is greater, so I want to reiterate the importance of following COVID-safe practices,” Brzezny said.

Those include social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands, even after getting the vaccine, he said. He also urged people to get the coronavirus vaccine to help decrease the case rate.

“The vaccines are the most hopeful thing we have had since the beginning of the pandemic, so let’s fight back with it,” he said. “Overall, COVID-19 case rates and community spread in Grant County continue to be relatively high. The concern about COVID-19 variants is a good reason to continue infection prevention steps.”

“We may also have forgotten that it is still important to get tested and stay home if we feel ill, so please get tested if, and isolate if, experiencing COVID symptoms,” he added.