Florida leads the country for the highest number of cases of the contagious UK COVID-19 variant, data shows.
The Sunshine State is home to 147 of the total 467 cases of the new mutation, according to a tally from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
California trails behind Florida with 113 cases, while New York follows in third with 42 reported, according to the data.
The first stateside case of the variant, also known as B117, was detected in Colorado in late December.
Experts believe it is more contagious than the original coronavirus strain, and may even be slightly more deadly in older adults.
Dr. Anthony Fauci said the vaccines on the market appear to still be effective against the variant, though he admits that there may be a “very minor diminution” in protection.
“The cushion that you have of efficacy is so large that it’s not going to negatively impact,” Fauci said.
