2 More Cases Of Coronavirus Variant Found In Southeast Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MI — Two more cases of a COVID-19 variant have been identified in Washtenaw County, county and state health officials said Thursday.

Two women living in Washtenaw County have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7, officials said. The two women were in close contact with another woman who was the first known person to have contracted the coronavirus variant in Michigan, according to health officials.

“We are watching this situation as closely as possible,” said Juan Luis Marquez, a medical director with the Washtenaw County Health Department. “And we ask everyone to continue to do everything they can to prevent transmission – mask, distance, avoid crowds or gatherings, clean your hands frequently, and follow isolation or quarantine guidance carefully.”

Related: New Variant Of Coronavirus Reported In Southeast Michigan: State

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Saturday announced that a Washtenaw County woman was found to have the COVID-19 variant after she traveled to the United Kingdom, where this variant originated.

Officials said at the time that they had reached out to all people who had close contact with the woman, later identifying seven more cases of the coronavirus that were linked to the woman. However, officials earlier this week said it was still unclear if any of those cases were of the new COVID-19 variant.

It is not yet known whether five other close contacts who have tested positive for COVID-19 are infected with the variant. All eight were directed to isolate, the state said.

B.1.1.7. is believed to be more contagious, but there has been no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating across the United States for months.

“Because this variant is more contagious, we have been expecting more B.1.1.7 cases following Michigan’s first case being identified on Saturday,” Michigan Health Executive Joneigh Khaldun saud. “Michiganders have followed the science and worked hard to slow the spread of COVID-19, resulting in dramatic improvements in our case numbers, deaths, hospitalizations and positivity rates.

"Now we need to redouble our efforts by continuing to wear masks properly, socially distance, avoid crowds, washing hands frequently, and make plans to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine once it is our turn.”

Read More: 7 New Coronavirus Cases Linked To MI Woman Who Traveled To U.K.