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.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 testing after an outbreak on the University of Michigan campus. READ: Michigan Athletics put on pause -- Athletes, coaches, team-staff asked to quarantineFive cases of the highly-contagious variant B.1.1.7 are linked to the university’s athletics department. Some students at the University aren’t too thrilled at the fact that sports have been suspended due to the new variant of coronavirus. Washtenaw County Health Department Medical Director Juan Luis Marquez said the suspension is necessary to make sure no one else is being placed at risk since the new variant is easier to spread from person-to-person. “Hopefully we just stay safe and kids get vaccinated and then later in February, we’ll be able to resume as normal.”Related: Michigan health officials concerned over COVID variantsResidents can find COVID-19 test sites in their communities on Michigan’s official website..

The university said several people linked to the Athletic Department have tested positive for the highly-contagious strain of the virus. A Wayne County man tested positive for the variant and a total of five people tested positive in Washtenaw County. The University of Michigan confirmed to Local 4 the school issued a two week pause for all University of Michigan Athletics. COVID-19 TestingWashtenaw County Health Department is working with the Michigan Department of Health and local partners to provide additional, no-cost COVID-19 testing opportunities. More: Michigan health officials concerned over COVID variants

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.

Jan. 23, 2021: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 548,069; Death toll now at 14,291Health officials identified a confirmed variant case in a Wayne County man Saturday. All Michigan Athletic team members -- student athletes, coaches and team staff -- have been asked to immediately isolate or quarantine until further notice. MORE: Tracking COVID-19 weekly growth factor by Michigan county“The new variant is present in Michigan and we are at risk of seeing more spread of COVID-19. It is possible that there are more B.1.1.7 cases in Michigan that have not been identified. Related: UK chief scientist says new virus variant may be more deadly