(CMR) The new variant of the COVID-19, which was identified in the UK, has now been confirmed in Florida.
A man in his 20s, who lives in Martin County, tested positive for the new variant. Officials said the man had no history of travel.
Florida's Department of Health tweeted on Thursday evening that it was working with the CDC on this investigation and encouraged everyone to continue practicing COVID-19 safety protocols.
“At this time, experts anticipate little to no impact on the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine,” the department tweeted.
Florida is the third state in the US to confirm the new variant since the start of this week.
California officials confirmed the state now has four cases of the strain, which is thought to be 70% more transmissible than the original.
A 30-year-old man tested positive on Wednesday, and three more men – two in their 40s and one in his 50s – also have been confirmed to have the strain. Two of the men have no travel history.
Earlier this week, the first case in the US was confirmed in Colorado. Officials say they are also investigating a second suspected case in the state.
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