Researchers at The Ohio State University (OSU) Wexner Medical Centre and College of Medicine have spotted two variants of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, in the state.
The “Columbus strain” has become the dominant variant of COVID-19 in the state after it emerged in the city in the weeks between December and January.
Dr Dan Jones, vice chair of the division of molecular pathology at OSU who led the study, issued a statement on the variant stating it is unclear how it emerged.
OSU scientists also reported the second strain carries the same mutation as the UK variant, which emerged in Kent in September.
While findings are unclear, the team believe the mutation in the second variant occurred in an Ohio patient.
It is also unknown how widespread the second variant is in the population, with Ohio recording a further 6,701 cases and 79 deaths on Wednesday.
"We need to understand the impact of mutations on transmission of the virus, the prevalence of the strain in the population and whether it has a more significant impact on human health.”
A Brazilian strain has also been identified in recent weeks, with Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK Government’s chief scientific adviser, stating it has mutations which make it more transmissible
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