Over 370 Cases Of Coronavirus U.K. Variant Now In CT

CONNECTICUT — The state Department of Public Health has released the latest data on the spread of the coronavirus variant throughout the state. Although the U.K. variant makes up around 40 percent of the new cases reported, the remaining variant cases are far fewer.

The virus variants are watched closely as they have mutations which causes them to act differently in ways that are significant to public health.

In state now are 379 cases of the U.K. variant, 7 of the South African, two of the Brazilian, two of the Californian B.1.427 and seven of the Californian B.1.429. The Yale School of Public Health has reported that 44 cases of the coronavirus strain B.1.526, the so-called "New York variant," have been detected in Connecticut, but these were not included in the most recent set of DPH data.

The daily coronavirus rate in the state dropped more than a full point in the data released Friday, from 3.88 to 2.85 percent — a very welcome break. As of Thursday, the 7-day average had climbed over the past three weeks.

The most crucial metric when gauging the impact of COVID-19 on the state has been hospitalizations, and that statistic has been on a steady ascent, climbing 75 beds since March 11. There are currently 456 Connecticut residents hospitalized with the virus, including the 22 reported on Friday.

Another 1,699 cases were logged by DPH, bringing the state total to 305,210. The death toll from the virus in Connecticut is now 7,865, with three more fatalities reported overnight.

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