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CDC has released (at GISAID) two B.1.1.7 SARS CoV2 sequences collected in North Carolina Jan 14. USA/NC-CDC-STM-0000013-A07/2021 1/14 North Carolina USA/NC-CDC-STM-0000013-B02/2021 1/14 North Carolina

Roberta Place resident deaths hit 50 amid ongoing COVID outbreak There has also been an increase in the number of positive cases among staff/team members, which now sits at 89 about an hour ago By: Shawn Gibson Roberta Place is located on Essa Road in Barrie's south end. Raymond Bowe/BarrieToday A 50th resident at the Roberta Place long-term care home in south-end Barrie has died after contracting COVID-19. Roberta Place community relations co-ordinator Stephanie Barber confirmed the death to BarrieToday on Thursday. An essential caregiver associated with the Essa Road facility also died after becoming infected, bringing the overall death toll to 51 people since the outbreak was declared Jan. 8 by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Barber said there was also an increase in positive cases among staff/team members at the home, which is up to 89 from 86 as reported on Wednesday. The total number of active resident positive cases remains at 128, which is all but one person residing at the 137-bed facility. Public health officials have identified the B.1.1.7. variant as the source of the local outbreak. There is an online protest scheduled for this afternoon at 3:30 p.m., in support of the residents of Roberta Place and other long-term care homes across the province. The protest will feature photos of long-term care residents and anyone affected and/or concerned by the conditions in the facilities. For more information on the event, contact at Maureen McDermot at 905-952-9681 or by email at [email protected]. https://www.barrietoday.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/roberta-place-resident-deaths-hit-50-amid-ongoing-covid-outbreak-3302271

The earlier four people in Wayne County were described by local health officials as two men and two women in their 30s and 40. https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/facing-new-covid-variant-university-michigan-students-asked-stay-home

Jan 28 501.v2 (B.1.351) in SC 1st detections in US Lowcounty & Pee Dee No travel or linkage SC-DHEC & LabCorp/CDC independent Vaccine resistant https://recombinomics.co/thedrnimanshow/2021/012821_B1351_US.mp3

Dr. Traxler: We Must All Recommit to Stopping the Spread – Wear a Mask, Stay Six Feet Apart COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today the detection of two cases associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant that first emerged recently in South Africa. These are the first two cases of this variant in the United States. Viruses are constantly changing, leading to the emergence of variants. Variants are closely monitored for their ability to spread faster or cause more disease. South Carolina public health officials were notified late yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a South Carolina sample that was tested at LabCorp and determined to be the B.1.351 variant originally identified in South Africa. Also, DHEC's Public Health Laboratory tested samples on Jan. 25 and yesterday identified a separate case of the same variant. Since June 2020, DHEC's Public Health Laboratory has been performing tests of random samples in order to identify any instances of the variant viruses. DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory will continue to conduct this important sampling to identify any other changes in the virus. Experts agree that existing vaccines work to protect us from this variant, even if we don’t know precisely how effective they are. At this time, there’s no evidence to suggest that the B.1.351 variant causes more severe illness. “The arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 variant in our state is an important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Interim Public Health Director. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited. Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognizing that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.” At this point in time, there is no known travel history and no connection between these two cases. Both are adults; one from the Lowcountry and one from the Pee Dee region. To protect their privacy, no further information will be released. The B.1.351 variant has been identified in more than 30 countries but these are the first cases of this variant identified in the United States. Other states have had cases of another, called B.1.1.7, originally identified in United Kingdom. Both variants originally detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa spread easier and quicker than the majority of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The South Africa and United Kingdom variants emerged independently from each other and have different characteristics. Most variants do not change how the virus behaves and many disappear. “We know that viruses mutate to live and live to mutate,” Dr. Traxler said. “That’s why it’s critical that we all continue to do our part by taking small actions that make a big difference. These include wearing our masks, staying at least six feet apart from others, avoiding large crowds, washing our hands, getting tested often, and when we can, getting vaccinated. These are the best tools for preventing the spread of the virus, no matter the strain.” DHEC, in coordination with the CDC, will continue to watch out for COVID-19 variants. Public health officials will provide more information as it becomes available. Safe and effective vaccines and following public health guidance are how to win the fight against COVID-19. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine go to scdhec.gov/vaxfacts. For the latest information about COVID-19, go to scdhec.gov/COVID19.

USA/SC-DHEC-UNK337/2021 Pee Dee South Carolina map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=33.98106183757825%2C-81.5054139659204&z=8

USA/SC-CDC-LC0000UNK336/2021 Lowcountry South Carolina USA/SC-CDC-LC0003421/2021 1/10 Lowcounty South Carolina map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=33.98106183757825%2C-81.5054139659204&z=8

Sequences for the two 501.v2 variant cases have not been released. They will be assigned UNK numbers, which will be updated upon release. USA/SC-CDC-LC0000UNK336/2021 Lowcountry South Carolina USA/SC-CDC-LC0003421/2021 1/10 Lowcounty South Carolina USA/SC-DHEC-UNK337/2021 Pee Dee South Carolina a South Carolina sample that was tested at LabCorp and determined to be the B.1.351 variant originally identified in South Africa. Also, DHEC's Public Health Laboratory tested samples on Jan. 25 and yesterday identified a separate case of the same variant. https://scdhec.gov/index.php/news-releases/south-carolina-public-health-officials-detect-nations-first-known-cases-covid-19

England/PORT-2E19CC/2021 Portsmouth England matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=50.690647011336225%2C-1.3027238198696578&z=10

COG-UK has released (at GISAID) a B.1.1.7 SARS CoV2 sequence with E484Q collected in Portsmouth in Jan. England/PORT-2E19CC/2021 Portsmouth England E484Q

England/CAMC-105EE42/2021 1/15 Cambridge England matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=52.21617618795653%2C0.12323519948277628&z=10

COG-UK has released (at GISAID) a B.1.1.7 SARS CoV2 sequence with E484K collected in Cambridge Jan 15. England/CAMC-105EE42/2021 1/15 Cambridge England

Wales/ALDP-101BF7B/2021 1/13 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8 map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=53.21798925477344%2C-2.2922099332280883&z=9

COG-UK has released (at GISAID) a B.1.1.7 SARS CoV2 sequence with E484K collected in Alderley Park Jan 13. Wales/ALDP-101BF7B/2021 1/13 Wales

England/ALDP-1016BE5/2021 1/13 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=53.41949869075768%2C-2.4576174837866813&z=8

England/ALDP-1016C3D/2021 1/13 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=53.41949869075768%2C-2.4576174837866813&z=8

England/ALDP-10149DE/2021 1/13 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=53.41949869075768%2C-2.4576174837866813&z=8

England/ALDP-1014A08/2021 1/13 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=53.41949869075768%2C-2.4576174837866813&z=8

England/ALDP-FAF66C/2021 1/10 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=53.41949869075768%2C-2.4576174837866813&z=8

COG-UK has released (at GISAID) five B.1.1.7 SARS CoV2 sequences with E484K collected in Alderley Park Jan 10-13. England/ALDP-FAF66C/2021 1/10 Alderley Park England England/ALDP-1014A08/2021 1/13 Alderley Park England England/ALDP-10149DE/2021 1/13 Alderley Park England England/ALDP-1016C3D/2021 1/13 Alderley Park England England/ALDP-1016BE5/2021 1/13 Alderley Park England

USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-G05/2021 1/14 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=33.54809174451749%2C-84.65787444201877&z=8

USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-C02/2021 1/14 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=33.54809174451749%2C-84.65787444201877&z=8

USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-H09/2021 1/11 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=33.54809174451749%2C-84.65787444201877&z=8

USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-C12/2021 1/11 matched B.1.1.7 with 3 AAs deleted in Spike protein, 3 AAs deleted in NSP6 and Q27 stop codon in NS8. map update https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1aQDSL2LwQFbuoCAg_nIOPK8D-LIJ5MYd&ll=33.54809174451749%2C-84.65787444201877&z=8

CDC has released (at GISAID) four B.1.1.7 SARS CoV2 sequences collected in Georgia Jan 11-14. USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-G05/2021 1/14 Georgia USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-C02/2021 1/14 Georgia USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-H09/2021 1/11 Georgia USA/GA-CDC-STM-0000013-C12/2021 1/11 Georgia