The CDC has released a report revealing how the first cases of the Brazilian COVID variant came to Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed the first case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant on January 25th after a person became symptomatic in early January. After further investigation, health officials learned that the patient had traveled to southeastern Brazil within the 14 days before symptoms started, and their travel partner, who lives in the same household, also tested positive after returning. The CDC says the hospitalized patient interacted with four health care facilities while he had the virus but there were no high-risk exposures. So far, the two cases remain the only confirmed COVID variants in Minnesota.