1st U.S. case of COVID-19 variant reported in Colorado

A sign asking people to wear masks in Breckenridge, Colorado.
(Image credit: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

The first known U.S. case of a more contagious COVID-19 variant initially discovered in Britain has been reported in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis (D) announced on Tuesday.

Polis said the variant was found in a man in his 20s with no travel history. The case was confirmed by the Colorado State Laboratory, and the man is now in isolation near Denver.

"There is a lot we don't know about this new COVID-19 variant, but scientists in the United Kingdom are warning the world that it is significantly more contagious," Polis said, adding the state will "closely monitor this case, as well as all COVID-19 indicators, very closely."

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Experts believe that the COVID-19 vaccines now being used are effective against this new variant, which was first identified in southeast England. Since then, the variant has also been discovered in Italy, Canada, India, and the United Arab Emirates.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.