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

(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 – Cases of COVID-19 have increased at the University of Michigan, now making up for 34% of total cases in Washtenaw County, university officials reported on Tuesday. The recommendation was urged by the Washtenaw County Health Department as several new cases of the new, highly contagious B117 COVID-19 variant were reported on campus. AdRead: University of Michigan students asked to stay home to curb virus spreadThe number of residences placed under quarantine has doubled since Saturday due to new positive cases and potential exposures. Read: University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus housesAccording to U-M’s COVID Dashboard, the university has reported 438 positive cases in the past 14 days, and 36,065 tests had been administered in the same time period. According to preliminary data, the positivity rate jumped the week starting Jan. 31 to 14.3%, compared to 1.3% the week prior.

Now well into the new year, those virus variants are making their way into the United States. AdExperts believe that these virus variants spread more easily, making them more difficult to control. Virus variant in MichiganOnly the U.K. B117 variant has been identified in Michigan (so far). AdMore: University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus housesReopening Michigan vs. virus variantsMichigan officials have addressed the outbreak of the B117 virus variant in the state, saying they are concerned and are keeping a watchful eye. With the virus variants in Michigan, the MDHHS is emphasizing the importance of getting tested for COVID-19.

Researchers believe they may spread more easily than the virus that has already sickened millions in the United States and caused nearly 420,000 deaths. AdThe Brazilian variant was first identified in four travelers who were tested at an airport outside Tokyo, Japan. The Minnesota Department of Health has a program that conducts regular surveillance for variants, testing 50 random samples from University of Minnesota laboratories weekly. The CDC has reported at least 195 cases of the U.K. variant in the United States. The South African variant has not been discovered in the United States.

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.

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

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a coronavirus press conference at 10 Downing Street in London, Friday Jan. 22, 2021. But Vallance stressed that “the evidence is not yet strong" and more research is needed. In contrast to that uncertainty, he said, there is growing confidence that the variant is more easily passed on than the original coronavirus strain. Many countries have closed their borders to travelers from Britain, and the U.K. has halted flights from Brazil and South Africa. The U.K. is currently in a lockdown in an attempt to slow the latest surge of the coronavirus outbreak.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials have identified the state’s first case of a new coronavirus variant, believed to be more contagious, in an infected individual living in Washtenaw County. Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Saturday, Jan. 16 that an adult female living in Washtenaw County has contracted a new COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7. Officials say she recently traveled to the United Kingdom, where the variant was first identified and has recently sent part of that country into a strict lockdown to help curb virus spread. According to authorities, two additional positive COVID cases have been identified among close contacts with the Washtenaw County woman, but it is unclear if those two individuals are also infected with the virus variant. Officials say the variant has now been identified in at least 16 other states as of Jan. 16.

The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late Thursday, Dec. 24. The U.S. is the latest country to announce new travel restrictions because of a new variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in Britain. (Gareth Fuller/PA via AP)ATLANTA – The United States will require airline passengers from Britain to get a negative COVID-19 test before their flight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced late Thursday. The agency said because of travel restrictions in place since March, air travel to the U.S. from the U.K. is already down by 90%. Andrew Cuomo said three airlines with flights from London to New York -- British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic -- had agreed to require passengers to take a COVID-19 test before getting on the plane.

Shoppers wear face masks as they walk in Regent Street, ahead of the new Tier-4 restriction measures, in London, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson says Christmas gatherings cannot go ahead and non-essential shops must close in London and much of southern England as he imposed a new, higher level of coronavirus restrictions to curb rapidly spreading infections. “It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,” Johnson said. While London fared relatively well in controlling the virus throughout the fall, the city now has the highest infection rates in England. The move will largely scrap Christmas gatherings in line with the rules for southern England.