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.

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?

(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.

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.