On Wednesday, April 7, 2021, the county health department announced the first detected case of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant in Kanawha County. The variant was first reported in the United Kingdom in late December 2020. More than 140 cases had been found in West Virginia by then.
State health officials said this variant was about 1.5 times more contagious than the form of the virus that had been circulating. The number of cases in the county was not released.
The county health officer said viruses change over time, so the finding was not a surprise. She said it showed why the county needed to keep vaccinating every eligible person. She also said the usual steps still worked against the variant: keep your distance, wear a mask, avoid crowds and wash your hands often.
Two days later, the county health officer warned of rising cases in young people. See Health officer warns of increasing COVID-19 cases in young people.
This guidance is from April 2021. It is kept here as a record and is not current advice. Check current guidance from the CDC or your doctor.