First case of B.1.351 COVID-19 variant in Central Virginia identified

RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The first case of the B.1.351 COVID-19 variant in Central Virginia has been identified.

The variant was identified in a sample from an adult resident of the region. The person does not have a history of traveling during the exposure period, according to a news release from the Virginia Department of Health.

This year, the variant has been identified in the eastern, southwest, and northwest regions of the state.

The variant first emerged in South Africa in late 2020.

Related stories:

B.1.351 COVID-19 variant identified in Virginia
First case of B.1.351 COVID-19 variant identified in Southwest Virginia
First case of B.1.351 COVID-19 variant reported in Northwest Virginia