OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - The first 13 cases of the California variant of the coronavirus have been confirmed in Nebraska.
The news comes one day after the first case of the UK variant was confirmed in the state.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services said nine of the 13 cases are in Douglas County. An additional four cases have been discovered elsewhere in the state. There are two in the Public Health Solutions district (Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Saline and Thayer counties), one in Lincoln-Lancaster, and one in the East Central district (Boone, Colfax, Nance and Platte counties).
Investigations are underway in each jurisdiction.
The California variant, also known as B.1.429, is believed to be spread more easily but available vaccines are effective against it. The variant was first identified in California.
Testing platforms like Test Nebraska and others will still produce a positive result for the California variant and other variants.
Officials continue to urge people to practice social distancing, good hand hygiene and to wear masks.
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