ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland health officials and the CDC have confirmed two additional cases of the B.1.351 South African variant in Maryland.
The two individuals recently traveled abroad, and reside in Montgomery County.
There are now three total cases discovered in the state.
Last week Governor Larry Hogan announced the first case, which was found in an unnamed Baltimore adult who had not traveled.
READ MORE: South African COVID-19 variant found in Maryland
This comes after multiple cases of the B.1.1.7—commonly known as the UK variant were found in Maryland.
SEE ALSO: Maryland confirms first two cases of UK variant of COVID-19
The African variant has not been shown to cause more severe illness or increased risk of death, but is more transmissible than other strains.
Officials believe existing vaccines are still likely to be protective against the variant. It is also expected that the variant can be detected with existing tests.
Contact tracing is underway in regards to the latest case, with those known to be associated isolating.
