Researchers from the University of Michigan found that "long COVID" symptoms occur in nearly half the people who contracted the virus.

With Michigan in the midst of its most dramatic COVID spike to date, health officials held a briefing to address this surge and talk about where the state is heading.

Experts are concerned that a new variant of COVID-19, “omicron,” could possibly be even more contagious than the delta variant and more resistant to vaccinations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 99.2% of June’s COVID deaths were people who were unvaccinated. These deaths could have been prevented.

Michigan reported on Thursday that there are now 32 cases of the delta COVID variant in eight Michigan counties.

Local 4′s Dr. Frank McGeorge answers your COVID-19 variant questions.

Michigan has confirmed its first case of another new COVID-19 variant, this one from India.

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.”

The COVID-19 variant detected in Brazil has been identified in Bay County. That variant is known as the P1 strain and it is more contagious and more than 50% able to reinfect.

Michigan has identified its first case of the P.1 variant of COVID-19, which was first found in Brazil and is believed to be more contagious, like other variants of the virus.

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?

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.

IONIA, Mich. – Ninety cases of the SARS-CoV-2 B117 variant have been identified at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Officials said the COVID-19 variant cases were identified after daily testing of inmates and staff at the facility. According to health officials, of those 90 cases, 88 are prisoners and two are employees. Health officials advise that Michiganders should:Wash hands often. AdEarlier this month, the variant was identified in Kent County after already identified in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

LANSING, Mich. – Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said there are two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant in the city. The variant, which was originally discovered in the United Kingdom, is known to spread more easily than the previous strand of COVID-19. Gretchen Whitmer said the state has confirmed a total of 45 cases of the B117 variant across 10 different counties. Whitmer’s COVID briefing on Tuesday“While our numbers continue to trend overall in the right direction, I’m very concerned about what we are seeing with the new B117 variant,” Khaldun said. All three of those metrics are improving, but the spread of the COVID-19 variant puts that progress in jeopardy.

Pupils arrive at Manor Park School and Nursery in Knutsford, England, as schools across England return after the Christmas break, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)ANN ARBOR – After months of remote learning, some students are returning to schools as districts begin to reopen. Returning to school may bring social, emotional and behavioral challenges for some children and teens as they readjust to classes during a pandemic. Mott Children’s Hospital will host a live Q&A session with its experts to answer families’ top questions about undergoing these changes at noon on Thursday. “Parents may have questions about everything from COVID-19 exposure risks to supporting their child or teen’s emotional, social and mental health.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Sports on University of Michigan’s campus came to a sudden halt Saturday after a handful of athletes tested positive for the COVID B.1.1.7 variant. Student athletes and staff from sports including tennis, track and field, wrestling, hockey, volleyball and gymnastics all must quarantine for two weeks as suggested by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “I want to commend the University of Michigan for taking the actions that they did. He started a petition Monday on behalf of the Coalition of Student Athletes and it garnered thousands of signatures in a few hours. “We were frustrated that we really didn’t have a voice on the matter, and we’re doing all the right things going into that mandate, doing things the right that was still kind of taken from us very abruptly,” Hubaker said.

DETROIT – Wayne County health officials are investigating four confirmed cases of the COVID variant, as well as four potential cases. Officials said the four people suspected of being infected with the new B.1.1.7 variant have tested positive for COVID-19 and being retested for the variant. Officials said those four people were in close contact with the four individuals who are already confirmed to be infected with the variant. The four confirmed cases are from two 35-year-olds, a 41-year-old and a 42-year-old. “As we administer our vaccine, it is important for people to mask up, wash their hands frequently, and avoid large groups,” said Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, chief health strategist for Wayne County.

DETROIT – A total of 17 cases of a new, more contagious strain of COVID-19 had been identified in Michigan. There have been 13 cases confirmed in Washtenaw County and four cases in Wayne County. READ: New COVID variant in Michigan: 13 cases in Washtenaw County, 4 cases in Wayne CountyWill I test positive on a COVID-19 test if I have the U.K. variant? What makes the U.K. variant more contagious? Experts said the U.K. strain is better at latching on to the receptors in our nose, lungs and digestive tract.

ANN ARBOR – As of Jan. 22, 2021, Michigan has three confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 -- the new more contagious strain of coronavirus. The three women are connected to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Scientists are also concerned about new variants detected in South Africa and Brazil, which have not been found in the United States yet. Dr. Anthony Fauci stressed the new variants highlight the need to get people vaccinated quickly. RELATED: Michigan health director Robert Gordon announces resignationRobert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, abruptly resigned on Friday.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Washtenaw County Health Department announced on Thursday that two new cases of the COVID variant have been identified. Officials said the cases were identified in two women living in the county and were in close contact with the first person in the state to be diagnosed with the variant, known as B.1.1.7. Officials said that person tested positive after traveling to the United Kingdom where the variant originated. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of the new variant, B.1.1.7. it is possible that there are more B.1.1.7 cases in Michigan that have not been identified.”“We are watching this situation as closely as possible,” says Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department.

DETROIT – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported Michigan’s first case of the more easily spread U.K. coronavirus variant. and was identified in a Washtenaw County woman who had recently traveled to the U.K. That’s where the variant originated. READ: First case of COVID variant detected in Michigan: What to knowThe B.1.1.7 variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has quickly become dominant in the U.K. That’s because it appears to be at least 50 percent more transmissible. The reason it’s more easily spread is that several of the mutations in the variant allow the spike protein, which the virus uses to attach to human cells, to bind more tightly. variant does spread more easily.