First cases of South African COVID-19 variant found in U.S.

South Carolina health officials announced the detection of two cases associated with the COVID-19 variant discovered in South Africa - the first recorded cases of this variant in the United States.

The state Department of Health and Environmental Control said experts agreed that existing vaccines would work against this variant. While this variant does appear to spread easier and quicker, the department said there was "no evidence to suggest that the B.1.351 variant causes more severe illness."

The DHEC added that there was no known travel history or connection between the two adults who tested positive for the variant — one was from the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and the other from the Pee Dee region. 

Late Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified state health officials that one sample contained the Covid-19 variant first found in South Africa, according to NBC affiliate WIS. The other case was discovered at the DHEC’s Public Health Laboratory, the station reported.

The variant has been detected in 30 other countries, according to the station.

The CDC said in a statement that the agency would continue to monitor the Covid-19 variant and recommended that people avoid travel at this time, NBC News reported.