First case of South African strain of coronavirus identified in Harrison Co.

by

Desare Frazier

• Published on March 22, 2021 • Comments

Healthcare worker vaccinating a veteran in Jackson
AP/Rogelio V. Solis

Mississippi Health officials say they have identified the first case of the South African strain of coronavirus in the state.

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State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says a resident of Harrison County contracted the South African strain of the coronavirus also called B.1.351. He says it’s more easily transmitted, and if there is one case there are probably more. Byers is urging people to get vaccinated.

“The vaccine may not completely be effective at preventing clinical illness but is very effective at preventing the severe outcomes and hospitalizations and deaths that occur,” said Byers.

Health officials also say they’ve identified 10 cases of the UK strain in Mississippi since February, which Byers says is more deadly than other variants.