Michigan health officials are encouraging residents to continue taking steps to prevent COVID-19 spread, as an omicron subvariant is expected to trigger a rise in cases.

The latest COVID-19 variant omicron has now been identified in five counties across the state of Michigan, officials said Friday.

Dr. Jim Baker, University of Michigan doctor, immunologist and founder of the allergy clinic, joins Flashpoint host Devin Scillian to discuss problems facing the state's fight against COVID.

Michigan was already struggling with its fourth surge of the coronavirus before word came that yet another variant, now called omicron, has mutated its way into circulation.

Israel's prime minister says the country is “on the threshold of an emergency situation” after authorities detected its first case of a new coronavirus variant in a traveler who returned from Malawi.

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

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Four off-campus residences and one University of Michigan dormitory are reportedly experiencing COVID outbreaks as the greater campus community struggles with virus spread. A new, more contagious coronavirus variant has recently made its way into Michigan -- and so far has spread most significantly within the University of Michigan community. Read: University of Michigan students asked to stay home to curb virus spreadAccording to the University of Michigan’s coronavirus data dashboard, four off-campus, group-living residences are experiencing COVID outbreaks and are under house-wide quarantine. AdAnother worrisome coronavirus variant has also recently been discovered in the U.S. for the first time. Related: Health officials push importance of testing after COVID variant outbreak at University of MichiganAdClick here to visit U-M’s COVID-19 data dashboard.

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.