KDHE finds U.K. variant of COVID-19 in Ellis County

Transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19 The spherical viral particles, colorized blue, contain cross-section through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Transmission electron microscopic image of an isolate from the first U.S. case of COVID-19 The spherical viral particles, colorized blue, contain cross-section through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

TOPEKA — A Kansas Department for Health and Environment lab on Wednesday discovered a new, more infectious variant of the COVID-19 virus in a resident in Ellis County.

KDHE said a case investigation was being conducted to determine how the person became infected with the mutated B.1.1.7. strain of the virus, first discovered in the United Kingdom. The investigation will look to see who else may hav…