State Health Department says highly transmissible COVID-19 variant could be in Hawaii

Hawaii health officials are warning that a highly transmissible COVID-19 variant first discovered in the United Kingdom may be circulating in the islands.

The Department of Health’s State Laboratories Division has identified four specimens that “exhibit a molecular clue associated with the UK B1.1.7 (variant),” in addition to nine samples of the Denmark L452R strain found last week.

DOH scientists are expected to complete what is known as whole genome sequencing this week to determine whether the UK variant is present. The super-spreading strain has not previously been detected in Hawaii.

The Health Department last week discovered the Denmark strain, now in more than a dozen U.S. states, although that variant has not yet shown to spread more quickly or pose greater risk than other mutations.

One sample each from Maui and Kauai and seven from Oahu had the Denmark variant. Four people infected by the variant had a history of travel to or from California and Utah, including two returning residents. The DOH is investigating one Maui case and four on Oahu with no history of travel.

The State Laboratories Division began in June looking for possible COVID-19 mutations rapidly spreading across the globe as health officials race to vaccinate the population. The lab currently examines 75 samples a week and found that 3.4% of 264 specimens were the Denmark variant, three samples of which were collected in late December “indicating the variant has been present in the state for at least five to six weeks.”

“It’s probably a matter of when rather than if,” said acting State Epidemiologist Sarah Kembleof the UK strain, which is of greater concern because of its ability to spread easier throughout the population. “The concern is if you have something that’s more contagious and more easily spread than that affects how many people need to be vaccinated in order to get herd immunity.”

More transmissible strains means that it might take 80% to 90% of the population to be vaccinated in order to obtain so-called herd immunity instead of the state’s goal of 60% to 70%.

Health officials reported 64 new infections, bringing the state’s total since the start of the pandemic to 26,007 cases. The state’s death toll remains at 410 with no new coronavirus fatalities reported. Of the state’s total infection count, 1,384 cases are considered to be active. More than A total of 150,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the islands since December.

Hawaii’s at a “critical juncture” and should remain in the current reopening tier as the state rolls out more vaccines, Kemble said. While cases are holding steady, she is urging the public to continue being vigilant with COVID-19 safety precautions.

“The way to combat (the variants) is what we’ve already been doing. We’re still going to be getting vaccinations out, wearing masks, practicing physical distancing,” she said. “This is one of the reasons to make sure we are not letting down our guard.”

Health officials are also imploring the public to get immunized while the virus is still susceptible to vaccines.

“New strains are cause for concern, but not for panic. Heading into Superbowl season right now, there’s temptations everywhere,” Kemble said. “Remember to keep your masks on, and keep social gatherings small.”