First case of new COVID variant found in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. Michigan officials identified the state’s first case of a new variant of the coronavirus, considered more contagious, in an infected individual living in Washtenaw County.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced on Saturday, January 16 that an adult woman living in Washtenaw County has contracted a new variant of COVID-19, known as B.1.1.7. Officials say she recently traveled to the UK, where the variant was first identified, and recently sent part of that country to a strict block to help stem the spread of the virus.

According to the authorities, two additional positive cases of COVID have been identified between close contacts with the woman from Washtenaw County, but it is not clear whether these two individuals are also infected with the virus variant.

The variant, which has been officially identified in other countries around the world, arrived in the United States in late 2020 and was first identified in California. Officials say the variant has already been identified in at least 16 other states by January 16.

Michigan officials say the new variant is considered 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,” according to with a press release published on January 16.

However, officials say the new variant – if it circulates widely in Michigan – could lead to a higher rate of transmission of the virus, which in turn can increase the number of people who “need to be hospitalized or who lose their lives for COVID- 19 ”

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“The discovery of this variant in Michigan is worrying, but not unexpected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS medical director and deputy head of health. “We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as quickly as possible. We continue to urge the Michiganders to follow a research-based approach using their masks appropriately, socially distancing themselves, avoiding crowds, washing their hands frequently and making a plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective as soon as it is yours turn. “

The case of the virus variant announced on Saturday is the only known case of the variant in Michigan, but officials say there are likely to be more cases that have not yet been identified.

January 7, 2021: New mutated variant of COVID-19 “most likely already here” in Michigan, said a senior health official

Health officials urge residents to continue to follow mitigation protocols to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, including frequent hand washing, good hygiene, social distance and avoiding crowds and meetings.

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With increasing concerns about Michigan’s COVID-19 metrics and a new variant of the virus, Governor Gretchen Whitmer was asked whether she anticipated further restrictions on activity in the state.

During the Wednesday briefing (January 6), Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state’s case rate began to stabilize after 46 days of decline. It also revealed a much higher positivity rate – 9.6%.

In addition to some worrying trends in metrics, Whitmer and Khaldun talked about a new variant of COVID-19, which could be even easier to spread.

Whitmer was asked whether, due to these concerns, the state will have greater restrictions beyond the current MDHHS order.

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