An Extra-Contagious Coronavirus Variant Is In The US — But No One Knows How Widespread It Is

A new, highly contagious version of the coronavirus has arrived in the United States, but scientists have no way to track how widespread it is. The new variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first detected in the United Kingdom and, as of Friday, has cropped up in at least 45 other countries. That includes the US, where it has been reported in dozens of cases across at least eight states: California, Connecticut, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York. This version of the virus does not appear to cause infections that are more severe or deadly, and the vaccines now slowly being distributed are still believed to be capable of fending it off.