5 total cases of COVID variants reported in Michigan so far

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

The health department of Washtenaw County announced on Saturday, January 23, that a total of five cases of the virus variant, also known as B117, were identified at the county residents.

The health department warns residents about potential places of exposure, where employers could have come in contact with the virus variant.

People who have visited the following locations Sunday, January 17 are encouraged to test for COVID-19 immediately:

The county offers free COVID PCR tests, drive-thru, on Sunday, January 24, between noon and 5:00 p.m., at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. Interested individuals are encouraged to register for online testing in advance, but it is not necessary. Find out more here.

Michigan’s first known case of the new strain, considered highly contagious and potentially more deadly, was found in a woman in Washtenaw County on January 16. Two additional cases were identified in two more residents of Washtenaw County on January 21. it appears that the individuals had close contact with each other, but officials say it is unclear 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 at the Washtenaw County Department of Health. “At this time and with the guidance of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we encourage additional precautions. Look for testing if you have symptoms, have recently been exposed to COVID-19, or have recently traveled to a new location. And everyone should make sure that they use all COVID-19 precautions consistently. This includes face masks, social distancing, cleaning hands, avoiding crowds or gatherings, and following isolation and quarantine guidance. ”

More: Michigan health officials are concerned about COVID variants

Variant B117 was first identified in the UK at the end of 2020 and sent part of that country into a strict blockade to help reduce 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 so far reached at least 20 states in the country.

Michigan officials thought it was likely that the COVID variant had already reached the state before January 16.

“We have been warning people for weeks that this variant is likely to be identified in Michigan,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer and deputy chief health officer at MDHHS. “We want everyone to understand that this variant is much easier to transmit and there is an increased risk of rapid spread. Now is the time for people to take extra precautions and limit any exposure. Wear a mask, wash your hands, avoid gatherings and make an appointment for a 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 strain B117 in Michigan that have not yet been discovered.

To help prevent the virus from spreading, individuals are encouraged to continue practicing mitigation measures, including good hygiene and frequent hand washing, wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding crowds and gatherings.

---

Related: Scientists in the UK say that the new variant of the virus could be more deadly