The first known U.S. case of a highly infectious coronavirus variant that was first detected in the UK has been identified in Colorado, the governor of the state announced on Tuesday.

"Today we discovered Colorado's first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, the same variant discovered in the UK," Jared Polis said on Twitter.

The virus variant was identified in a Colorado man in his 20s with no travel history, according to a statement from the governor's office. 

The man is currently isolated in Elbert County and will remain there until cleared by health officials, it added.

No close contacts of the man have been identified yet, but health officials are working on contact tracing, Polis said.

(Travelers wearing protective face masks to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 walk after departing a flight at the airport in Denver, Colorado, U.S., November 24, 2020. /Reuters)