A COVID-19 variant that originated in the United Kingdom and is known to be significantly more contagious than the original coronavirus strain has surfaced in Southeast Idaho, public health officials said.

The variant — known as B.1.1.7 — had previously surfaced in other regions of Idaho, but the Wednesday detection of the strain marked the first time it was confirmed in Southeast Idaho.

“With the emergence of this variants in Southeast Idaho, it is imperative, now more than ever, to follow public health recommendations to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19,” Southeastern Idaho Public Health officials said in a press release.

Recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 include keeping hands clean, avoiding touching the face, staying home when sick, following quarantine and isolation guidelines, maintaining space between people not from your household, wearing a mask correctly when not able to maintain distance and getting vaccinated as soon as possible.