Coronavirus outbreak at Dane County childcare center linked to UK variant

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Public Health Madison & Dane County said 35 people connected to a single child care center tested positive for COVID-19, including a more contagious variant first identified in the United Kingdom. 

According to health officials, 21 of the center's children and workers tested positive, as well as 14 of their family members for the B.1.1.7 variant.

Officials did not name the childcare center.

According to Public Health Madison & Dane County, several dozen more close contacts were identified. 

“We know the variants are more infectious, and younger children can’t be vaccinated yet, so this is an important reminder that we must all continue to take precautions. Get tested if you are showing any symptoms, get your children tested if they are showing symptoms, and get vaccinated as soon as you can. The vaccines are highly effective against severe disease and death from COVID-19 infection, even with the most prevalent variants,” said Janel Heinrich, Director of Public Health Madison & Dane County.

Officials say most of the children had very mild symptoms. 

“As more and more adults are vaccinated, I hope we are able to form a circle of protection around our children so that everyone in our community can stay healthy,” said Heinrich.

According to Public Health Madison & Dane County, symptoms of COVID-19 in children include fever, cough, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, and nasal congestion. They say to not mistake symptoms for seasonal allergies and to get tested to rule out COVID-19 first.