The Hawai\u2018i Department of Health\u2019s State Laboratories Division (SLD) confirms the presence of the B.1.1.7 variant in Hawai\u2018i.<\/p>\n

The confirmed specimen is one of four samples previously identified in Hawai\u2018i as having a molecular clue consistent with the B.1.1.7 variant. The other specimens are still being analyzed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have already initiated contact tracing investigations and are monitoring these cases closely,\u201d said Acting State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble.<\/p>\n

The variant strain was detected in an O\u2018ahu resident with no history of travel. This person initially experienced symptoms in late January. One close contact also tested positive for the COVID-19. Whole genomic sequencing is being performed on the specimen from the close contact to determine if B.1.1.7 is present.<\/p>\n

The B.1.1.7 variant, originally detected in the United Kingdom, is highly transmissible and leads to a more rapid spread than other common COVID-19 strains.<\/p>\n

SLD is performing genome sequencing on 300 specimens per month. \u201cThe specimens selected for sequencing represent patients more likely to have variant strains, as well as specimens representing all parts of the state,\u201d said State Laboratories Division Director Dr. Edward Desmond. \u201cThe sequencing will indicate the presence of variant strains with any of the mutations of concern.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are concerned about the presence of the B.1.1.7 variant in Hawai\u2018i because more contagious strains can lead to an increase in case rates and ultimately require a higher percentage of people to get vaccinated in order to achieve herd immunity,\u201d said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are not helpless against this highly transmissible variant,\u201d said Hawai\u2018i Governor David Ige. We can fight it by getting vaccinated and taking everyday actions such as wearing masks, distancing, washing hands and staying home when sick. And please limit your Super Bowl viewing parties to household members. Together, we can stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is more important now than ever that we that we take preventative measures to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and neighbors from COVID-19,\u201d added Dr. Char.<\/p>\n

At an afternoon news conference David Ige announced that the DOH State Laboratories Division (SLD) has been working with private sector labs to collect and examine specimens of the virus that causes COVID-19. Gov. Ige said, \u201cWe also reported that whole genome sequencing was being performed on four specimens containing a molecular clue to determine whether they are the B1.1.7 variant, commonly called the UK variant. The results are in \u2013 and for the first time, we can confirm that this highly transmissible variant has been detected here in Hawai\u02bbi.\u201d (See more detail in DOH item below).<\/p>\n

\u201cThe good news is that we know how to slow the spread, and we\u2019ve proven we can be successful in taking these measures,\u201d Ige said.<\/p>\n

\n
• MASK, DISTANCE, WASH YOUR HANDS and STAY HOME WHEN YOU\u2019RE SICK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Ige concluded, \u00a0\u201cWe are not helpless against this variant.<\/strong> We can fight it by doing these simple, everyday things. We are not helpless against this highly transmissible variant. We can\u00a0 fight it by getting vaccinated and taking everyday actions such as wearing masks, distancing, washing hands and staying home when sick. And please limit your Super Bowl viewing parties to household members. Together, we can stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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