First case of UK COVID-19 variant confirmed in Austin-Travis County
AUSTIN, Texas โ The first case of the UK variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Austin-Travis County, Austin Public Health officials said. According to a news release, the variant was discovered and confirmed through lab testing by a private local testing organization and was reported to the Texas Department of State Health Services. โWhile it is concerning that there is a confirmed COVID-19 variant in Austin-Travis County, it does not come as a surprise,โ said APH Director Stephanie Hayden-Howard. โIt is important to remember that these COVID-19 variants spread the same way, and so it is important to continue the prevention measures we have been using for almost a year. APH lab testing will detect the coronavirus, but at this time, extended lab testing is required to determine the variant strains under the coronavirus umbrella at this time.