Pitkin County Public Health was notified by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) state laboratory on Tuesday, Feb. 2 that test results from two Pitkin County residents were suspected of a COVID-19 variant of concern. A variant of concern is a COVID-19 variant that is not widely circulating in the United States at this time and may be more contagious than the current predominant variant. The CDPHE state laboratory is currently performing additional testing to confirm whether these two specimens are identified as variants of concern.
Pitkin County Public Health is working with these two individuals and any affected organizations to prevent additional transmission and conduct testing. The two individuals share a common exposure source and are believed to be connected.
Residents are encouraged to continue to practice social distancing, wear face coverings in public and at work, wash hands frequently, and seek testing immediately if any symptoms of COVID-19 develop or when in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
