U-M officials share weekly campus COVID update.

The Biden administration says the U.S. is setting up a $1.7 billion national network to identify and track worrisome coronavirus mutations whose spread could trigger another pandemic wave.

The White House COVID Response Team said it is working with states to minimize any impact of the Johnson & Johnson pause.

For the seventh week in a row, the state of Michigan is the worst in the nation in terms of coronavirus cases.

“We want to get back to family time,” Smith said. ”We have a big family. We like to gather but we don’t want to compromise our older people in the family, so we all came to do our part.”

Medical experts are keeping a close eye on the Midwest and Northeast as new cases of COVID-19 surge.

DETROIT – With the effort to get more people vaccinated, Mayor Mike Duggan visited with Detroiters getting their second dose Saturday. He stopped by one of Detroit’s busiest vaccination sites and suggested more people may be eligible for the shot sooner than they think. The Detroit church has quickly become one of the top community vaccination sites in the city, a key part of ramping down vaccine fears. READ: Michigan has second-highest number of COVID variant cases in USDuggan also hinted at expanding eligibility soon, ahead of the state’s timeline. When he was asked if that means the city would open up to full eligibility, Duggan was quick to dispel rumors.

READ: 3 new cases of COVID-19 B117 variant found in St. Clair County -- here are the detailsAccording to the CDC, the largest number of variant cases have been detected in Michigan and Florida. According to the MDHHS, the greatest numbers of the U.K. variant B117 have been found in the more densely populated areas. More than half the B117 variants identified were from an outbreak within the Michigan Department of Corrections. AdThe B117 variant has been found in 31 Michigan counties, it’s safe to assume that it’s widespread in the community. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesRead moreQuestions about coronavirus?

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mich. – Three new cases of the more contagious COVID-19 B117 variant have been identified in St. Clair County. St. Clair County health officials said their county’s first case of B117 was identified in February. The woman in her 40s was a close contact of the woman in her 60s, according to St. Clair County health officials. It’s passed more easily between people, but there’s no indication that it causes more severe cases of COVID-19, experts said. Ad“We are doubling down with variant case investigations,” said Dr. Annette Mercatante, medical health officer of the St. Clair County Health Department.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.351 has been identified in a child in Jackson County. The health department did not say how the boy was infected but a case investigation is underway to determine close contacts and if there are additional cases associated. This new variant was originally detected in South Africa in October 2020 and shares some mutations with the B117 variant. From reporter Jason Colthorp:Two pieces of legislation passed last week offering additional funding for Michigan schools that provide at least 20 hours of in-person learning. Michigan has reported more than 2.6 million doses of the COVID-19 administered, as of Monday, with 20.9% total coverage in Michigan.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.351 has been identified in a child in Jackson County. This new variant was originally detected in South Africa in October 2020 and shares some mutations with the B117 variant. The first case of the B117 variant -- originally detected in the United Kingdom -- was identified in Washtenaw County. This case in Michigan is the only one identified at this time. It was first reported in the U.S. on Jan. 28 when it was identified in two people in South Carolina.

A case of the more contagious COVID-19 variant has been identified in Livingston County for the first time, officials reported Saturday. (WDIV)The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 596,054 as of Saturday, including 15,666 deaths, state officials report. The state reported a total of 549,881 recoveries from the virus on Saturday. Michigan’s 7-day moving average for daily cases was 1,210 on Saturday -- which is up slightly from last week. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 30,500 on Saturday.

HOWELL, Mich. – A case of a more contagious variant of the coronavirus has been identified in Michigan’s Livingston County for the first time, officials report Saturday. The Livingston County Health Department on Saturday announced that a resident has tested positive for the COVID-19 variant known as B117, which experts say is 50 percent more transmissible than the dominant virus strain in the U.S. The health department identified two potential COVID exposure sites related to the variant case. “The possibility of additional spread of the variant is a concern,” said Juan Marquez, Medical Director at the Livingston County Health Department. More: ‘Undetected spread in community’: COVID variant cases in Michigan rise by more than 100

LANSING, Mich. – The number of the confirmed cases of a more contagious COVID-19 variant in Michigan increased by more than 100 this week, suggesting there is “undetected spread” in the community. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state has confirmed 422 cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant. READ: 12 takeaways from Whitmer’s March 2, 2021, COVID briefingThat number increased from 314 cases identified as of six days prior (Feb. 24). Michigan’s case rate down to 91.2 cases per million population. It was only a 0.2% increase, but Michigan officials said the change is also similar to early October.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has confirmed 157 cases of the more contagious COVID-19 B117 variant across 12 counties in the state, officials said. “This means isolation, quarantine and frequent testing whenever we identify outbreaks associated with the variant.”The B117 variant was first identified in the United Kingdom. A person connected to the University of Michigan athletic department tested positive for the B117 variant after traveling to the UK. But since then, Michigan has confirmed cases in many other counties, Khaldun said. AdOn Tuesday, officials announced 90 cases of that variant have been identified at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Wednesday on the state’s handling of COVID-19. Whitmer’s latest COVID updateWhitmer was joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. They discussed the continuing spread of the B117 variant in Michigan, how the state’s restrictions helped improve COVID-19 numbers and provided an update on vaccination distribution. AdYou can watch the full replay of the briefing in the video posted above.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)LANSING, Mich. – Michigan health officials are urging residents to continue wearing face masks, even after receiving coronavirus vaccinations. Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are encouraging people, even those who have been vaccinated against the virus, to wear face coverings to prevent COVID-19 spread and infection. The data shows the importance of wearing a mask correctly and making sure it fits snugly over the mouth and nose. Officials recommend doubling up by wearing a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask, a nylon covering over a mask or a mask fitter. AdMichigan residents in need of a face mask can contact their local Community Action Agency or local DHHS office for one.

(NIAID-RML via AP)GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus has been reported in a third Michigan county for the first time. Health officials say a confirmed case of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant, known as B117, was reported in Kent County on Sunday, Feb. 7. Michigan’s first known case of the virus variant was identified on Jan. 16 in a Washtenaw County woman who had just recently traveled to the U.K. Washtenaw County officials say that all known B117 variant cases within that county are tied to the University of Michigan community. Related: University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus housesAdThree COVID-19 variants, including the B117 variant, have been identified in the U.S. so far.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Four off-campus residences and one University of Michigan dormitory are reportedly experiencing COVID outbreaks as the greater campus community struggles with virus spread. A new, more contagious coronavirus variant has recently made its way into Michigan -- and so far has spread most significantly within the University of Michigan community. Read: University of Michigan students asked to stay home to curb virus spreadAccording to the University of Michigan’s coronavirus data dashboard, four off-campus, group-living residences are experiencing COVID outbreaks and are under house-wide quarantine. AdAnother worrisome coronavirus variant has also recently been discovered in the U.S. for the first time. Related: Health officials push importance of testing after COVID variant outbreak at University of MichiganAdClick here to visit U-M’s COVID-19 data dashboard.

The University of Michigan Athletic Department says out of 3,215 COVID tests administered within the community this week, 11 student athletes have tested positive. School officials said some of those who tested positive for the B117 variant are people involved in the Athletic Department. It is currently unclear if the 11 U-M students have tested positive for the B117 strain or a different strain. AdSo far, the COVID vaccines currently circulating appear to be effective against the B117 virus strain. MDHHS sent University of Michigan officials a memo explaining our recommendations, but has not issued any orders for the university to take any actions.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – University of Michigan students who live on or near campus are being asked to “stay in place” as the coronavirus -- particularly a new, more contagious strain -- continues to spread throughout the region. Students are asked to stay inside their residences between Jan. 27 and Feb. 7 to help curb the spread of the virus. Michigan health officials say that while the variant does appear to spread more easily, it doesn’t appear to cause more severe disease. Rob Ernst, executive director of the University Health Service at U-M. “We encourage all students to stay in place and only leave their residence for essential activities, including getting tested weekly for COVID-19.”The county’s recommendation is directed at all University of Michigan students, including undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Local coronavirus updates can be found on the Washtenaw County Health Department’s website here.

Here’s what is coming up on Local 4 News at 5:What you need to know about the new COVID variantOver the weekend, a total of six cases of a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 had been identified in Michigan. The Washtenaw County Health Department announced Saturday, Jan. 23 that a total of five cases of the virus variant, also known as B117, have been identified in county residents.

The Washtenaw County Health Department announced Saturday, Jan. 23 that a total of five cases of the virus variant, also known as B117, have been identified in county residents. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) also identified one case of the virus variant in a Wayne County man. The Washtenaw County Health Department is warning residents of potential exposure sites, where patrons may have came into contact with the virus variant. A total of 5 cases of the variant have been identified and additional sequencing continues for other possible cases already positive for COVID-19. The virus variant has reportedly made its way to at least 20 states in the country so far.