| For Immediate Release March 26, 2021
Contact: Elizabeth Goodsitt/Jennifer Miller 608-266-1683 DHS and Laboratory Partners Confirm a Third Variant Strain of SARS-CoV-2 in Wisconsin DHS confirms variant P.1 and an additional case of variant B.1.351 On March 25 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and laboratory partners confirmed a third variant strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in Wisconsin. This variant strain, referred to as P.1, differs from variant B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, which have both previously been confirmed in Wisconsin. The newest variant P.1, was first discovered in 4 travelers from Brazil who were tested at an airport near Tokyo, Japan in early January. According to epidemiologic and modeling studies, researchers have found that this new strain, similar to B.1.1.7 and B.1.351, spreads more rapidly and easily than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. However, this variant has unique mutations that may affect the ability of antibodies, generated through previous COVID-19 infection or through vaccination, to recognize and fight off the virus. This means variant P.1 may be able to more easily infect people. View the entire news release. | 
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