Variant strains of the coronavirus have arrived in Archuleta and La Plata counties, according to San Juan Basin Public Health.

The health department confirmed two cases of the variant first recorded in California, including one case in Archuleta County and one case in La Plata County on the Southern Ute reservation. The Southern Ute Indian Tribe announced the presence of the variant Saturday.

“The presence of variants in Southwest Colorado is troubling and means virus transmission could happen more easily,” said Liane Jollon, SJBPH executive director, in a news release. “Residents need to double down and commit to taking extra precautions to protect ourselves and others from the coronavirus.”

SJBPH encouraged residents of Archuleta County and the Bayfield and Ignacio areas to be tested

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