First case of COVID variant detected in Michigan: what to know

The first case of a COVID-19 variant believed to be more contagious was detected in Michigan over the weekend.

Officials at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Saturday, Jan. 16, that a adult woman living in Washtenaw County got new COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7.

Officials say she recently traveled to the UK, where the variant was first identified and a part of the country was recently tightly closed to help curb the spread of viruses. Two additional positive COVID cases were identified under close contact with the Washtenaw County woman, but it is unclear whether the two individuals were also infected with the virus variant.

Although this is the first example of the variant, it is likely to have been circulating in the state and in the US for months.

The B.1.1.7 variant is estimated to have originated in September 2020 and quickly became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant in England. says the CDC.

As of January 13, 2021, approximately 76 cases of B.1.1.7 have been detected in ten U.S. states. Numerous evidence suggests that B.1.1.7 is transmitted more efficiently than other SARS-CoV-2 variants, the CDC reports.

EXPLAINS: Scientists try to understand new virus variants

The model CDC the trajectory of this variant in the US predicts rapid growth in early 2021 and becomes the predominant variant in March. Increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission may threaten tensions in health care resources, require extensive and stricter implementation of public health strategies, and increase the percentage of population immunity required for pandemic control.

It is impossible to know for sure. However, the spread of this variant in other countries has led to a huge increase in hospitalizations and deaths, leading to stricter closure measures, especially in the UK

The CDC says that taking measures to reduce transmission now could reduce the potential impact of B.1.1.7 and allow critical time to increase vaccination.

“Collectively, improved genomic surveillance combined with the sustained adherence to effective public health measures, including vaccination, physical distance, mask use, hand hygiene, isolation and quarantine, are essential to limit the spread,” the CDC reported.

Starting January 18 in Michigan, hospitalizations, case growth and test positivity is almost the lowest point in a few weeks, and the state has reopened some areas of businesses plans to reopen more in February.

It is believed that existing and future vaccines can handle these and other variants of COVID-19. Earlier this month, research suggested Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine could protect against the B.1.1.7 variant, specifically.

The study was preliminary and did not look at the two other major vaccines used in the West – Moderna and AstraZeneca. But it was reassuring, given questions about whether the virus could mutate to defeat the shots on which the world had pinned its hopes.

“There is no reason to think that the vaccines will not work as well on these strains,” said Dr. Frederic Bushman of the University of Pennsylvania said. He follows how the virus mutates. ” A mutation will change one small spot, but it will not disrupt the binding of all. ‘

Yes. This is what viruses do! This is how they survived billions of years.

According to an article published in the Journal of Virology, about 8 percent of human DNA comes from viruses that were inserted into our genomes in the distant past, in many cases millions of years ago by the genomes of our pre-human ancestors. Most of these viral genes come from retroviruses, RNA viruses that insert DNA copies of their own genes into our genomes when they infect cells.

Viruses are constantly changing through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to emerge over time.

The best thing you can do is get vaccinated. If you are now eligible for contact your local health department or hospital system to find options.

If you have not yet been vaccinated, you know the exercise here:

• Wear a mask around others.

• Stay 6 feet apart.

• Wash hands regularly.

• Ventilate indoor spaces.

“The discovery of this variant in Michigan is worrying, but not unexpected,” says Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Medical CEO and Deputy Chief of Health at MDHHS. ‘We all have a personal responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as soon as possible. We continue to call on Michiganders to take a research approach by wearing their masks properly, removing them socially, avoiding crowds, washing their hands regularly and making a plan to use the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. to get as soon as it’s your turn. ‘

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