Dr. Persse says the @houstonhealthdepartment is investigating #Houston's first two cases of the UK variant of #COVID19. This variant is circulating widely in the U.S. and it's no surprise it's in our city. This is a reminder that it's still vital to #MaskUp, #SocialDistance, #WashHands & #GetTested. We must assume the UK variant is spreading in our city. Although it does not seem to make people sicker, it is more contagious. The vaccines appear to be effective against the UK variant but it will be months before enough people are vaccinated to make a difference. The two cases are males in their 50s. We know one traveled overseas in late December into January. We don't yet have travel info about the second case. One of the men is currently hospitalized.