WVU: Three COVID-19 variant cases detected in the Morgantown area; two are students

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WCHS) — Officials at West Virginia University said Saturday that three U.K. COVID-19 variant cases have been detected in the Morgantown area, two of which are students.

The university said it believes the three individuals are related to one another and have not visited the WVU campus during their infectious period, according to a news release. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources confirmed the variant cases in the north central area of the state Friday night.

“While this is not unexpected, it reinforces why it is so important to protect yourself and others by continuing to wear a mask when you are in public spaces and around others you do not live with, wash your hands frequently and carefully self-monitor for symptoms,” Dr. Jeffrey Coben, vice president for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Public Health, said in the news release.

The university said it is working closely with the Monongalia County Health Department in its case investigation and contact tracing.

The B.1.1.7 variant, also known as the U.K. variant, originated in the United Kingdom and is believed to be more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19, the news release said. Forty-two other states have reported 1,523 cases, including in all states bordering West Virginia. Officials believe it will become the dominant strain in the U.S. within a month.

Early reports indicate that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines offer protection against the B.1.1.7 strain. However, only 5% of the total U.S. population has received both doses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.