UPDATE: New COVID-19 strain was found in Eau Claire County

EAU CLAIRE COUNTY (WQOW) - Wisconsin health officials say the first new strain of COVID-19 found in Wisconsin on Tuesday was from someone tested in Eau Claire County.

Dr. Ryan Westergaard with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said the person did travel internationally in the two weeks prior to testing positive for the strain.

Few other specific details about the case are immediately available.

The particular variant was first detected in England in November and December. Westergaard did not say where exactly this person traveled.

Health officials say it appears this strain spreads easier and quicker than the original strain, but there is no evidence it causes worse illness or an increase likelihood of dying.

The variant has been found in several other U.S. states, including: Colorado, California, Florida, Minnesota, New York and Georgia.

This is a developing story and will be updated.