The mutated COVID-19 strain that was first discovered in the United Kingdom has reached California shores

This was confirmed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in a conversation with renowned virus expert Dr Anthony Fauci.

“Just an hour or so ago, we were informed that this new variant, new strain has been identified here in the state of California, in Southern California,” Newsom said.

Fauci said he wasn’t at all surprised.

“I don’t think that the Californians should feel this is something odd. This is something that’s expected,” the virus expert said.

The first case of the mutated strain in the US was confirmed on Tuesday in Colorado.

According to experts, the mutated strain of the virus is more easily transmitted between persons, but it does not make people more sick or more likely to die than the normal version of the virus.