CT Reports 21 New U.K. Coronavirus Variant Cases

CONNECTICUT — The state Department of Public Health identified another 21 cases of the U.K. coronavirus variant. The new cases bring the total variant cases identified in Connecticut to 63.

Test samples were taken between Feb. 3 and 17 and involved people between the ages of 5 and 80 years old.

People infected with the variant are from the following towns:

• Bridgeport (1)
• Guilford (1)
• Hamden (1)
• Meriden (1)
• New Haven (12)
• Stamford (2)
• Wallingford (1)
• West Haven (2)

The U.K. variant is thought to spread more easily and quickly than other variants of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study in the U.K. found that the variant carried an increased risk of death compared to others, but additional studies are needed to confirm the findings, according to the CDC.

Connecticut reported 787 new coronavirus cases Friday and a daily positive test rate of 2.22 percent.

Coronavirus-related hospitalizations continued the downward trend with a 34-patient drop down to 451 hospitalized for the virus.

Another eight deaths were reported Friday, which brought the state total up to 7,622.