FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2021
The L452R variant is linked to multiple outbreaks in Santa Clara County and is being studied by California genome sequencing experts.
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), in coordination with the County of Santa Clara and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), announced today that an L452R variant of COVID-19 is increasingly being identified through sequencing viral genomics in several counties of the state. The 452R variant has previously been detected in other countries and states, including California, and is now increasingly being found in several California counties. The state is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local public health departments, and laboratory sequencing partners to learn more about the variant, including how it spreads.
“It is common to identify virus variants such as SARS-CoV-2, and we are working with our federal, local, and university partners to better understand this variant and how it might affect Californians,” said Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist for CDPH. “It is too early to know if this variant will spread more quickly than others, but it certainly reinforces the need for all Californians to wear face masks and avoid mixing with people outside their immediate homes to help slow the spread of the virus. We also urge anyone who has been exposed to the virus to isolate themselves from others to protect themselves and their loved ones. “
The 452R variant was first identified last year in other countries and states, including California. This variant is different from variant B.1.1.7 first detected in the UK. As the number of samples tested for variant strains has increased in California laboratories, including UCSF, variant 452R has been identified more frequently since November. Variant 452R has been identified in several large outbreaks in Santa Clara County.
“The fact that this variant has been identified in several large outbreaks in our county is a red flag and needs to be investigated further,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. “This virus continues to mutate and adapt, and we cannot lower our guard. This news underscores the need for everyone to follow all preventive measures and get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is offered. “
Santa Clara County has sequenced a large number of positive samples collected from community testing sites and outbreaks in the county. The 452R variant was present in samples from the community and from several large outbreaks, including outbreaks in which large numbers of exposed people contracted the virus. Analysis regarding the role of this and other variants in outbreaks and community spread in Santa Clara County is ongoing.
In addition to Santa Clara County, variant 452R has been detected in Humboldt, Lake, Los Angeles, Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Francisco, San Bernardino, San Diego, and San Luis Obispo counties. Because genomic sequencing is not performed equally across the state or country, it is too early to know how prevalent variant 452 is at the state, national, or global level.
The 452R variant was recently observed to contribute to a growing proportion of COVID-19 cases in sequenced samples by Dr. Charles Chiu, a virologist and professor of laboratory medicine at UCSF. Dr. Chiu has been sequencing cases from multiple counties across the state for the past several months as part of the Statewide SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing Initiative known as COVIDNet.
“This variant carries three mutations, including L452R, in the spicular protein, which the virus uses to adhere to and enter cells, and is the target of the two vaccines that are currently available in the United States,” said the Dr. Chiu. “Now that we know that this variant is increasing in our local communities, we are prioritizing its study. Researchers at UCSF and elsewhere will now be able to perform critical laboratory experiments to determine whether or not this virus is more infectious or affects vaccine performance. “.
Due to the continued increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, regardless of circulating variants, CDPH urges Californians to continue to take steps that limit the transmission of the virus and reduce pressure on our health care systems. This includes:
- Stay home except for essential activities
- Wear a mask when leaving home
- Limit interactions with people outside your immediate home
- Maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet away
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds
- Receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you are eligible and the vaccine is available in your area
CDPH has partnered with local public health labs, diagnostic labs, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Invitae Corporation, UCSF, and Scripps Research Institute to form COVIDNet, a network of laboratories working to perform SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing. in the state to understand the transmission and evolution of the virus. To date, several thousand specimens have been sequenced in California. CDPH is notified when specific strains are identified and network laboratories coordinate to evaluate the different strains circulating in California. Additionally, laboratories in the network coordinate with local health departments to carry out sequencing to inform outbreak investigations.
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