ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The UK variant of the COVID-19 virus has been found on the University of Central Florida campus, the school announced Thursday.

“In particular, the UK variant has a strong foothold in Florida, and last week it was found in Orange County. This week, we learned that this strain is on our campus, with a report of one student case,” Dr. Michael Deichen, Associate Vice President of UCF Student Health Services, said in a news release.

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The college has enacted its standard contact tracing and isolation processes as a result, Deichen said.

Contract tracing has pointed to small group gatherings that continue to be a source of UCF’s positive cases, Deichen said. Students are encouraged to limit interactions with people outside their immediate pod, especially when masks are not worn, stay home if you’re sick and remove yourself if you find yourself in a situation that goes against public health recommendations.

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“This is not a time to panic, but rather to remember how important it is to prioritize health and safety by adopting the practices that are proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and these emerging variants,” Deichen said.

This is a developing story. Check back and watch Ch. 9 for LIVE updates

Cox Media Group