It’s been over one year since the coronavirus pandemic hit America, and now a new variant of the COVID-19 has arrived in Florida’s Orange County.
Florida Sunset
The UK variant of COVID-19, which is said to be more contagious than other strains, was found in two people visiting Orange County, where Orlando and Walt Disney World are, from Broward and Seminole counties, according to WKMG-TV. Overall, 92 cases of the COVID-19 variant are in the Sunshine State.
Dr. Raul Pino, the Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, said that doesn’t necessarily mean that the UK variant is spreading across the Orlando area. “That is not to say that variant must be out there because it’s everywhere, but we don’t have any concrete evidence that it is in county residents at this point. We have not detected it. It doesn’t mean that it’s not there,” he stated.
Florida Palm Trees
Other variants, including those from South Africa and Brazil have yet to be found in Florida. However, the South African variant was found in South Carolina.
Flight from Orlando
Though the UK variant of the coronavirus is more contagious, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there is no evidence that this strain causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. How can you protect yourself while in Orlando? Wear a mask, wash your hands frequently with warm soap and water, avoid touching your face, and keep a safe distance from others, especially while at Walt Disney World.
Timmy the Dino in a face mask
Of course, Disney World requires guests to wear a face covering at all times except for when actively eating or drinking and distanced from other people. That rule even applies to people who have already received the COVID-19 vaccine. However, rules will be different for Disney World’s water parks when Blizzard Beach reopens in March.
Disney dogs mask
As the coronavirus pandemic continues and things develop in Florida, we’ll be sure to let you know, especially when changes may impact Disney World.
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Where did that Disney Dogs mask come from, and how do I get it?!?!
i love that Disney dog mask!! where can i get it???
If UK persons can’t travel to the US how is it the UK variety? perhaps it is a Darwinian effect of convergent evolution of the virus in certain populations of similar genetic backgrounds.
The Disney Mask Blog strikes again!
As the US borders were closed to Uk travellers in July 2020 how can it be UK variant in Orange County? Must have been brought in by a USA resident.
Shari, looks like we found ours at World of Disney in Disney World and Disneyland. I don’t see them on shopDisney yet.
Amy, we spotted them at World of Disney at Disney World and Disneyland. They don’t appear to be on shopDisney yet.
We hope that u will bring kitty cats mask we love all animals but we r crazy about kitty cats and those dog mask r very cute we have kitten and love her so much I rescued her out of the street when she was 3 months old and underweight the people dumped her and moved shame on people that do that but now she is very happy 🐈⬛
Hi joy I’m from the UK. The reason the virus is spreading out of our country is people who have just received it but test negative go to different countries, it spreads to different countries and it then gets taken, in terms of the Darwinian effect i doubt so as there have already been around 3 globally recognised all different so the likely hood of it happening is very low.
Also it is not necessarily from the Uk, we just have the best genome testing so discovered it first.
Wonderful reply from Alex. The variants are being detected in England and many are from other countries. The research departments are identifying all kinds of Covid-19 variations on a theme and warning other countries of their findings. Once everyone has the vaccination these will become less of a concern. Each version of the virus has a different way of behaving.