Researchers at Stanford University have detected a coronavirus variant believed to be the first of its kind in the United States. Stanford’s Dr. Dean Winslow says this strain could be more contagious, but there’s no evidence indicating it’s more dangerous yet. The variant was first identified in India and has two known mutations. The so-called “double mutant” variant recently appeared in a Santa Clara County resident’s test sample, but there are other suspected cases elsewhere in the Bay Area. Santa Clara County health leaders say the CDC does not consider it a “variant of interest” at this time.
Meanwhile, as of Sunday night, the new 7 day daily average for active cases in Sonoma County is now 781, down from 2,281 at the beginning of March. Fatalities have also declined with 11 COVID related deaths during the month of March, compared to 25 deaths reported in February. This comes as thousands of Sonoma County kids have returned to in-person learning for the first time in over a year, including elementary students in Santa Rosa City Schools.
