(KAIR)--A COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Atchison County.
That word is delivered in a release from the Atchison County office of the Northeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments and Atchison County Emergency Management.
According to the release, the variant, the first confirmed in Atchison County, is identified as the P.1 variant, described by the Centers for Disease Control as having first been identified in Brazil, and later in Tokyo, Japan. It was first confirmed in the United States at the end of January.
P.1 is listed as a variant of concern, meaning there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease, leading to increased hospitalizations or death, and a reduced effectiveness of vaccines.
The release encourages Atchison County residents to continue to wear face masks in public places, practice social distancing, continue proper handwashing, and to get tested and stay home if symptoms begin to be shown.
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, variants of concern, including P.1, are confirmed in five additional local counties, with two cases confirmed in both Doniphan and Brown counties, while seven are confirmed in Jefferson County. Leavenworth and Pottawatomie counties have four confirmed cases each.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Hartman sentencing in the hands of judge
Four injured in Friday Jackson Co crash
Competency evaluation sought for man charged in murder of Seneca priest
New Sabetha city administrator hired
Traffic stop sends driver to DHS custody
Property damage in DUI leaves Iowa man charged
Update: Atchison boil water advisory lifted
Multiple crews battle Hoyt area fire
Shooting near Mayetta being investigated
Topeka man arrested after Jackson Co pursuit and manhunt
Woman arrested in Jackson Co on meth charge
Hearing set on proposed Nemaha Co Land Development Code
Grand Opening held for Underground Railroad exhibit in Falls City
KASB to assist USD 415 in search for new Superintendent
Probation for LV woman convicted in child death
Falls City Utilities planned power outage
Seneca City Council approves hiring of new police officer
Pay increase approved for Hiawatha city employees
LATEST STORIES
Atchison Co RWD 5C again placed under boil water advisory
NioCorp completes additional test drilling
SENCA seeking bell ringers for Salvation Army fundraiser
Two injured in Holt County MO wreck
Marshall Co voters to face special question in Nov election
Lancaster cleared of boil advisory
Shooting near Mayetta being investigated
Enrollment down in Prairie Hills USD 113