Monday, February 22, 2021

CDC: COVID Variant Map Update (Feb 21st)



#15,826

The CDC has been posting updated interactive maps of the detection of COVID Variants within the United States since the first week of January, and updated those numbers against last night.    

For now, these maps continue to focus on the `three international' variants of greatest concern.

  • B.1.1.7 aka `UK' variant
  • B.1.351 aka `South African' variant
  • P.1  ak `Brazilian' variant

Homegrown variants, such as CAL.20C and the 7 lineages with AA changes at Position 677 announced last week, are not currently being tracked on this map. As the field becomes more crowded, and the significance of additional variants becomes clearer, we may see others included. 

The latest national update (below) reports 1688 variants detected across 43 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.  Michigan, with 210 cases, has overtaken California for 2nd place. Florida continues to report the largest number of variants with 433. 

Due to extremely limited genomic sequencing being done across the country (see the CDC's National Genomic Surveillance Dashboard), the numbers reported are undoubtedly serious undercounts, and states that report few (or no) cases, are often the ones doing the least amount of testing.


Download Accessible Data [CSV – 564 KB]

The emerging variants CDC is closely monitoring have mutations in the virus genome that alter the characteristics and cause the virus to act differently in ways that are significant to public health (e.g., causes more severe disease, spreads more easily between humans, requires different treatments, changes the effectiveness of current vaccines). It’s important to understand that genetic mutations are expected, and some variants can spread and become predominant while others subside.

02/11/21 – To maintain a limited number of colors and allow for an easier comparison between states, the data ranges have changed from 1-50 to 1-100.

*The cases identified above are based on a sampling of SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens and do not represent the total number of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1 lineage cases that may be circulating in the United States and may not match numbers reported by states, territories, tribes, and local officials.

†Numbers will be updated on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday by 7:00 pm.

Learn more about Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants.