By Tim Mastro

DOVER — Forty-nine cases of COVID-19 variants have been identified in Delaware through routine surveillance of test specimens, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently added variant B.1.427 and B.1.429, both originating in California, to its list of “Variants of Concern.” Delaware has recorded five cases of B.1.429 and two cases of B.1.427 as of Thursday at 6 p.m.

Other variants on the CDC’s list of concern include B.1.1.7, which originated in the United Kingdom and is commonly refereed to as the U.K. variant, as well as B.1.351, which originated in South Africa. There have been 17 confirmed cases of the U.K. variant in Delaware and one of the South African variant.

The CDC is also tracking two variants from New York on its list of “Variants of Interest,” B.1.525 and B.1.526. The DPH reported one case of B.1.525 and 23 of B.1.526.

According to the DPH, the total variant cases include 47 adults ranging in age from 18 to 74 years old, as well as two individuals under the age of 18. Thirty-five people were from New Castle County, eight were from Kent County and six were from Sussex County.

The DPH lab has sequenced 1,152 specimens for COVID-19 variant strains to date, including 92 within the past week, the DPH said.

“Virus mutation is common,” the DPH said in a statement. “Public health approach and treatments are currently not any different, but as these variants may be more contagious, it is even more important that individuals remain vigilant and continue taking the necessary steps to avoid spreading the virus – wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings.”

More confirmed cases of the variants come as Delaware is experiencing a slight uptick in COVID-19 positivity and hospitalizations.

The seven-day rolling average for daily new cases rose to 235.1 new positives a day — the most since March 4. The seven-day rolling average for percentage of positive tests is up to 4.5%, which is the highest it has been since March 5.

COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by nine compared to the day prior, up to 116. Hospitalizations have stayed above 100 for 11 days in a row after they hit a 2021 low of 83 on March 11.

The DPH reported 303 positive cases of the virus in Friday’s update, bringing the total to 93,325. The number of COVID-19-related deaths remained unchanged compared to the day prior, staying at 1,536.

A total of 414,657 administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been reported to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX as of 12:01 a.m. Friday. The DPH is reporting 145,311 individuals who are fully vaccinated, including 138,360 persons who received both doses of a two-dose series and 6,951 who received a one-dose series. An additional 131,060 individuals have received one dose of a two-dose series and are awaiting their second dose.