In December 2020, the B.1.1.7 genetic Variants of SARS-CoV-2, the Virus that causes COVID-19, was first reported after emergence and rapid circulation in the United Kingdom (1). Evidence suggests that the B.1.1.7 Variants is more efficiently transmitted than are other SARS-CoV-2 Variantss, and widespread circulation could thereby increase SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization rates (1,2). The first reported SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variants case in the United States was confirmed by sequencing in Colorado on December 29, 2020.* This report describes a person who traveled from the United Kingdom to the United States after experiencing COVID-19–compatible symptoms† and was eventually confirmed to be infected with the B.1.1.7 Variants.

On January 10, 2021, CDC notified the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) of a SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variants case; Corpus Christi–Nueces County Public Health District staff members conducted a case investigation on January 10–11. The patient, aged 61 years, had visited family in the United Kingdom during November 13–December 30, 2020, and reported having been exposed to a relative experiencing COVID-19–compatible symptoms (cough, runny nose, and headache) on December 24. Another relative at the same gathering received a positive COVID-19 test result in the United Kingdom on January 10. The patient received a negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result on December 28 in preparation for travel back to the United States but experienced symptoms on December 29 and reported taking acetaminophen on December 30. On December 30, the patient disclosed a runny nose during the pretravel interview but was cleared to fly from London to Dallas, Texas the same day. Upon arrival in the United States on December 31, the patient stayed overnight in a hotel and then drove home (approximately 8 hours). On the way home, the patient stopped five times, including twice for food, twice for gas, and once at a grocery store. Throughout the international and domestic travel period, the patient reported trying to maintain physical distance from others and wearing a cloth face mask, except while eating or drinking. The patient began self-quarantine upon returning home, which was broken twice for a medical and tTesting appointment. Additional symptoms, including loss of taste and smell, severe headache, chills, and a dry cough, began on January 1. On January 2, the patient sought confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tTesting and received a positive test result on January 4, at which point the patient began a 10-day isolation. The RT-PCR exhibited S-gene target failure, a diagnostic test result suggestive of the B.1.1.7 Variants (2). This finding was confirmed by sequencing at a commercial laboratory affiliated with CDC’s national strain Surveillance system.§

Suggested citation for this article: Ojelade M, Rodriguez A, Gonzalez D, et al. Travel from the United Kingdom to the United States by a Symptomatic Patient Infected with the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Variant — Texas, January 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 3 March 2021.

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