JACKSON, MI – A boy from Jackson County was identified as the first Michigan case of South Africa’s COVID-19 was identified in Jackson County, state officials said.
Variant B.1.351 was identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories on Monday, March 8.
The investigation of the case is underway to determine the boy’s close contacts, and if there are additional cases associated with this case, MDHHS officials said. State health officials did not disclose the boy’s age.
Originally detected in early October 2020 in South Africa, this variant shares some mutations with the UK’s B.1.1.7 variant. On March 8, Michigan identified 516 cases of variant B.1.1.7 in 23 Michigan jurisdictions.
Cases of the South African variant were first reported in the United States in late January.
B.1.351 is believed to be more contagious, but there is no indication that it will affect clinical outcomes or the severity of the disease compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating in the United States for months, MDHHS officials said.
Based on the available evidence, current tests can identify COVID-19 in these cases, MDHHS officials said. The available COVID-19 vaccines also work against the new variant, although scientists are still evaluating their effectiveness against this new variant.
Based on the available evidence, current tests can identify COVID-19 in these cases, MDHHS officials said. The available COVID-19 vaccines also work against the new variant, they said.
A higher transmission rate could increase the number of people who need to be hospitalized or who lose their lives to COVID-19 if the new variant starts to circulate widely in Michigan, MDHHS officials said.
The virus has been identified in at least 20 other states. This is the only known case in Michigan at the moment, but it is possible that there are more that have not been identified, said MDHHS officials.
“We are concerned about the discovery of another variant in Michigan, although it was not unexpected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical officer and deputy head of health, in a press release.
“We continue to urge Michiganders to follow a research-based approach, using their masks appropriately, distancing themselves socially, avoiding crowds, washing their hands frequently and making a plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective when it is your turn. We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as soon as possible. “
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Jackson County Health Department’s webpage located on the Jackson County Health Department’s COVID vaccine page or its Facebook page.
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