5 total cases of COVID variant reported in Michigan so far

YPSILANTI, Mich. – A total of five cases of a new, more contagious coronavirus strain have been identified in Michigan so far, according to health officials.

The Washtenaw County Department of Health announced on Saturday, January 23 that a total of five cases of the virus variant, also known as B117, have been identified in county residents.

The health department is warning residents about potential exposure sites, where users may have come into contact with the virus variant.

Individuals who visited the following locations on Sunday, January 17th are encouraged to test for COVID-19 immediately:

The county is offering free COVID drive-thru PCR tests on Sunday, January 24, between noon and 5 pm, at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. Interested individuals are encouraged to register for the online test in advance, but this is not mandatory. Find out more here.

Michigan’s first known case of the new strain, which is believed to be highly contagious and potentially more deadly, was found in a woman from Washtenaw County on Jan. 16. Two additional cases were identified in two more Washtenaw County residents on January 21. The individuals would have been in close contact with each other, but officials say it is not clear whether any of the five cases are related to the first case.

“The possibility of further spread of the variant is a concern,” says Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director of the Washtenaw County Health Department. “At this point and with guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we are encouraging extra precautions. Do the test if you have symptoms, have recently been exposed to COVID-19, or have recently traveled to a location where the new variant is circulating. And everyone should make sure that they are using all COVID-19 precautions consistently. This includes face masks, social distance, hand cleaning, avoiding crowds or meetings and following isolation and quarantine guidelines. “

More: Michigan health officials concerned about COVID variants

The B117 variant was first identified in the UK in late 2020 and placed part of that country in a strict block to help stem the spread of the virus. The strain was first identified in the United States in late December, first in Colorado and then in California. The virus variant has reached at least 20 states in the country so far.

Michigan officials believed the COVID variant was likely to have entered the state before January 16.

“We have been warning people for weeks that this variant would probably be identified in the state of Michigan,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS medical director and deputy head of health. “We want everyone to understand that this variant is transmitted much more easily and there is a greater risk of rapid spread. Now is the time for people to take additional precautions and limit any potential exposure. Wear your mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds and make an appointment for the vaccine when it’s your turn. We all have a role to play in ending this pandemic. “

Officials say there are likely to be more than five cases of the B117 strain in Michigan that have yet to be discovered.

To help prevent the spread of the virus, individuals are encouraged to continue practicing mitigation measures, including good hygiene and frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, social distance and avoiding crowds and meetings.

Related: UK chief scientist says new variant of the virus could be more deadly