Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

January 15, 2021

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage — United States, December 29, 2020–January 12, 2021. MMWR

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A more highly transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2, lineage B.1.1.7, has been confirmed to have caused 76 cases in at least 10 states in the US as of January 13, 2021. Models suggest that this variant has potential to drive a new phase of exponential growth in cases in the US, and that even if vaccination protects against infection, substantial transmission of the variant will continue until it becomes the dominant strain. Although there is no known difference in clinical outcomes associated with the B.1.1.7 variant, a higher rate of transmission will lead to more cases, strain on healthcare systems, and deaths. The authors recommend urgent mitigation efforts, including physical distancing and masking, to limit the spread of the variant and allow more time for ongoing vaccination to achieve higher population-level immunity.

Galloway et al. (Jan 15, 2021). Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Lineage — United States, December 29, 2020–January 12, 2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7003e2