BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Health on Wednesday announced the first confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant in the state.

The locations of the two people with confirmed cases is not being released at this time.

Kirby Kruger, Disease Control and Forensic Pathology Section chief, said, “Although it still is being studied, it appears that disease symptoms and severity for the b117 variants and the other two variants is similiar to disease caused by the “wild-type” or original virus. The b117 is more infectious, thus more easily transmitted from person to person. Taking precautions is as important as ever.”

The precautionary measures to help reduce the risk of transmission of all COVID-19 viruses, including the variant varieties are:

– Continuing to wear a mask

– Physical distancing

– Staying home when sick

– Getting tested

– Quarantining when exposed to a person who has tested positive

– Getting a vaccine is also recommended.

The two cases of the new variant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus first detected in the United Kingdom were confirmed by the N.D. Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory. One of the people recently returned from domestic travel before becoming ill and the second person was a close contact of the first, according to Health Department officials.

A third case of possible UK variant is being investigated, Health Department officials also said.

The variant strain of the virus was first detected in the United Kingdom in September 2020. It has been found in numerous countries around the world, including the United States.

The variant or B.1.1.7 was reported in the U.S. at the end of December 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control.