The first case of COVID detected in Michigan: What to know

The first case of a COVID-19 variant that is thought to be more contagious was detected in Michigan over the weekend.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) officials announced on Saturday, January 16 that a an adult woman living in Washtenaw County contracted a new variant COVID-19, known as B.1.1.7.

Officials say he recently traveled to the UK, where the variant was first identified, and recently sent part of the country into a strict blockade to help reduce the spread of the virus. Two additional cases of COVID positive have been identified among close contacts with the woman in Washtenaw County, but it is unclear whether these two people are also infected with the virus variant.

Although this is the first instance detected of the variant, it is very likely to spread already in the state and in the USA for months.

It is estimated that variant B.1.1.7 appeared in September 2020 and quickly became the dominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant in England, says the CDC.

As of January 13, 2021, approximately 76 cases of B.1.1.7 have been detected in 10 US states. Several lines of evidence indicate that B.1.1.7 is transmitted more efficiently than other SARS-CoV-2 variants, CDC reports.

EXPLANATORY: Scientists trying to understand a new variant of the virus

shaped CDC the trajectory of this variant in the USA predicts a rapid growth at the beginning of 2021, becoming the predominant variant in March. Increasing SARS-CoV-2 transmission could threaten tense health care resources, require more extensive and rigorous implementation of public health strategies, and increase the percentage of population immunity needed to control the pandemic.

It is impossible to know for sure. But the spread of this variant in other countries has led to a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths, leading to stricter blocking measures, especially in the UK.

The CDC says taking steps to reduce transmission now can reduce the potential impact of B.1.1.7 and allow a critical time for increased vaccine coverage.

“Collectively, improved genomic surveillance combined with continued compliance with effective public health measures, including vaccination, physical distance, mask use, hand hygiene, isolation and quarantine, will be essential to limit the spread,” the CDC reports.

Starting Jan. 18 in Michigan, hospitalizations, increasing cases and positivity tests are close to its lowest point in a few weeks, and the state has reopened some areas of business with intends to reopen further in February.

Existing and future vaccines are believed to be able to cope with this and other variants of COVID-19. Earlier this month, research suggested Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can protect against variant B.1.1.7, specific.

The study was preliminary and did not analyze the other two major vaccines used in the West – Moderna and AstraZeneca. But it was reassuring, given the questions of whether the virus could move to defeat the fires the world had hoped for.

“There is no reason to believe that vaccines will not work as well on these strains,” said Dr. Frederic Bushman of the University of Pennsylvania, who is looking at how the virus moves. “A mutation will change in a small place, but it won’t break the connection at all.”

Yes. That’s what viruses do! That’s how they survived billions of years.

According to an article published in Journal of Virology, about 8 percent of human DNA comes from viruses inserted into our genome in the distant past, in many cases in the genome of our pre-human ancestors millions of years ago. Most of these viral genes come from retroviruses, RNA viruses that insert DNA copies of their own genes into our genome when they infect cells.

Viruses are constantly changing by mutation and new variants of a virus are expected to appear over time.

The best thing you can do is get vaccinated. If you are eligible for vaccination right now, contact your local health department or hospital system for options.

If you are not yet eligible for vaccination, you know the exercise here:

• Wear a mask around the others.

• Stay 6 feet away from the others

• Wash your hands often.

• Ventilate indoor spaces.

“The discovery of this variant in Michigan is worrying, but not unexpected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer and deputy chief health officer at MDHHS. “We all have a personal responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and put an end to this pandemic as soon as possible. We continue to urge Michiganders to follow a research-based approach, wearing masks properly, socially distancing themselves, avoiding congestion, washing their hands often, and making a plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective. once it’s their turn.

Find more headlines about coronavirus here.