The UK variant of COVID-19 is now in Arizona, according to the Translational Genomics Institute. It’s found to be more transmissible than the original strain.

Arizona Public Health Association Director Will Humble says the variant, despite its name, wasn’t brought over from the UK, but rather mutated in Arizona.

“The more people that get infected with the virus, the more opportunities that the virus has to make genetic changes, and when those genetic changes are on the protein coat, that’s when it becomes problematic,” said Humble. 

Humble also noted the vaccines currently being used in Arizona are effective against the strain, but he is still calling for more meaningful mitigation measures from the state.