Madera County is the second Central Valley county to report a case of the so-called U.K. coronavirus variant.

On Tuesday Madera County health officials announced that an individual tested positive for the B.1.1.7 strain of the coronavirus. The person completed an isolation period and is no longer considered infectious with Covid-19. 

Contacts have been identified through an investigation and are currently in quarantine. No other Madera County cases have been identified with this variant to date.

“While cases are decreasing in Madera County the discovery of this variant is concerning,” stated Dr. Simon Paul, Madera County Public Health Officer. “Residents should continue to stay vigilant by limiting gatherings, practicing social distancing, and wearing a mask. All approved vaccines are believed to be effective against this variant and I strongly recommend residents get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families.”

Last week Fresno County health officials announced the discovery of three U.K. variant cases that were attributed to infections that took place in late February and early March. 

Fresno County health officials said this was likely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to variants, which are detected by sample testing done on the state level.