San Luis Obispo County Public Health officials on Tuesday reported that the county's first case of the COVID-19 Delta variant has been identified.
The variant is said to spread more quickly and easily than earlier strains of the virus.
On June 15, the CDC labeled Delta as a variant of concern, meaning there is evidence that it spreads more easily, causes more severe disease, and leads to increased hospitalizations and deaths.
Health officials say the COVID-19 vaccine is still effective against the variant.
County health officials say they are investigating the recent case to understand how the patient contracted COVID-19 and to take steps to prevent the spread of the variant.
Santa Barbara County Public Health officials previously detected two cases of the Delta variant.
To make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination, visit the state's My Turn website.