U.S. reports over 10,000 coronavirus variants infections as experts warn of another COVID-19 surge

People wearing face masks are seen on an airport express train in Seattle, the United States, March 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Despite the drop of new COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations for weeks, now the United States has seen a rise in new cases in 27 states.

WASHINGTON, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Currently the United States has recorded more than 10,000 infection cases of coronavirus variants as experts warn of another COVID-19 surge.

Among the total of 10,985 variants cases reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as of Sunday, 10,579 cases were caused by the variant known as B.1.1.7, which was originally detected in Britain.

There were 288 cases of a new strain initially discovered in South Africa, called B.1.351, and 118 cases of the P.1 strain first discovered in Brazil.

In addition, the B.1.427 and B.1.429 variants, two coronavirus strains first detected in California, are also being closely monitored by the CDC.

The five coronavirus strains are currently classified by the CDC as "variants of concern," as evidence shows an increase in their transmissibility, increased hospitalizations or deaths, significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.

Virus variants may contribute to "increased spread" of infections, Stanley Perlman, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa, told Xinhua in an interview.

"Cases may be increasing again. We need to still wear masks and practice social distancing," he noted.

Experts have repeatedly expressed concern that the country would face another surge in COVID-19 cases if Americans did not keep protective measures such as wearing masks, avoiding travel, and continuing social distancing until more people are vaccinated.