First cases of Brazilian COVID-19 variant detected in Arizona

PHOENIX — A COVID-19 variant that spreads at a faster rate has been detected in Arizona, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Friday.

AZDHS, Yuma County Public Health Services District and Translational Genomics Research Institute report that the P1 COVID-19 variant, commonly referred to as the Brazilian variant, has been confirmed in three test samples from the state.

While the variant spreads faster, studies suggest the vaccines authorized to fight COVID-19 are still effective against the variant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It is unknown how widely the variant may be spread in Arizona, officials say.

The new strain was first identified in Brazil, with the first case being detected in the United States in January.

The state’s health department is working with laboratory and public health partners, including the Centers for Disease Control, to monitor the situation, according to the release.

The so-called “UK variant” was detected in Arizona in January.

Health officials ask the public to continue following mitigation strategies proven to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance and washing hands.

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