Michigan has second-highest number of COVID variant cases in US
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, itโs safe to assume that itโs widespread in the community. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesRead moreQuestions about coronavirus?
โUndetected spread in communityโ: COVID variant cases in Michigan rise by more than 100
LANSING, Mich. โ 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 โundetected spreadโ 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 Whitmerโs March 2, 2021, COVID briefingThat number increased from 314 cases identified as of six days prior (Feb. 24). Michiganโs 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.
90 cases of COVID variant identified at correctional facility in Ionia, Michigan health officials say
IONIA, Mich. โ 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.
2 cases of COVID-19 B117 variant confirmed in Detroit, mayor says
LANSING, Mich. โ 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. Whitmerโs COVID briefing on TuesdayโWhile our numbers continue to trend overall in the right direction, Iโm very concerned about what we are seeing with the new B117 variant,โ Khaldun said. All three of those metrics are improving, but the spread of the COVID-19 variant puts that progress in jeopardy.
Doctors at Mott Childrenโs hosting live Q&A on returning to school
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 โ 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 Childrenโs Hospital will host a live Q&A session with its experts to answer familiesโ top questions about undergoing these changes at noon on Thursday. โParents may have questions about everything from COVID-19 exposure risks to supporting their child or teenโs emotional, social and mental health.
University of Michigan student athletes start petition to overturn 2-week pause
ANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Sports on University of Michiganโs 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. โI 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. โWe were frustrated that we really didnโt have a voice on the matter, and weโre doing all the right things going into that mandate, doing things the right that was still kind of taken from us very abruptly,โ Hubaker said.
Wayne County health officials confirm 4 COVID variant cases, investigate 4 potential cases
DETROIT โ 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. โAs we administer our vaccine, it is important for people to mask up, wash their hands frequently, and avoid large groups,โ said Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, chief health strategist for Wayne County.
What to know about the more contagious strain of COVID after cases confirmed in Michigan
DETROIT โ 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.
Michigan health officials concerned over COVID variants
ANN ARBOR โ 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.
2 more cases of new COVID variant identified in Washtenaw County, health officials say
LANSING, Mich. โ 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.โโWe are watching this situation as closely as possible,โ says Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director with Washtenaw County Health Department.
What you need to know about the more easily spread COVID-19 variant now that itโs in Michigan
DETROIT โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported Michiganโs 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. Thatโs 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. Thatโs because it appears to be at least 50 percent more transmissible. The reason itโs 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.