Number of confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 variant by state as of February 18, 2021. After 3 months of relatively low case counts, Covid-19 cases began rapidly rising throughout Zambia in mid-December 2020. The below chart (Figure 2) tracks the evolution of Covid-19 cases in Zambia throughout the pandemic. The below chart (Figure 3) shows the rapid spread of the B.1.1.7 UK variant in different U.S. states and the U.S. overall. It is clear from these domestic and international examples that the U.S. needs to act fast to stop a potential rapid rise in Covid-19 cases stemming from new variants.

Source: Forbes February 19, 2021 20:15 UTC