#Highly-contagious COVID-19 variant reported in New Jersey

Two cases of the COVID-19 UK variant have been reported in New Jersey, marking the first known Garden State appearance for the highly-contagious strain.

A Jersey Shore man in his 60s with no travel history or clear exposure to others tested positive for the variant on Jan 6., a week after developing COVID-19 symptoms, Department of Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli said Friday.

After his PCR test showed results suggestive of the variant, a commercial lab confirmed the Ocean County man was infected with the B-117 mutation, which officials believe has been spreading in the states since November.

That patient’s symptoms have resolved, and he avoided hospitalization, the commissioner said.

In the second case, a child who is staying in northern New Jersey tested positive for the variant in New York City on Jan. 11.

The child does not have any symptoms, and local and state health officials are investigating how he may have been exposed.

The variant was first detected in New York City on Jan. 4.

“As you know viruses constantly change through mutation and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time,” Persichilli said.

“While the variant may spread more easily and more quickly than previous strains at this time there is no evidence that infections by this variant cause more severe disease, according to the CDC.

Persichilli added that current vaccines “are effective” against the UK variant.

The state announced it has vaccinated more than a half million New Jersey residents Friday.