It's here. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced during a news conference with Dr. Anthony Fauci that a new COVID-19 variant has been detected in California. Dr. Fauci says that while the variant is more contagious, there is no indication that it is more deadly.
Newsom: "An hour or so ago we were informed that this new variant, this new strain that we’ve identified from the United Kingdom…. and in Colorado yesterday has been identified here in the state of California, in Southern California.”
Dr. Fauci says he expects more cases of the variant will be seen in other states as well. Experts are questioning whether it is too late to stop the new variant from spreading now.
Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute, says:
“The virus is becoming more fit, and we’re like a deer in the headlights.”
Read more about this at AP
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
*Listen to Bryan Suits talking with ABC's Alex Stone about the new COVID-19 variant found in CA: