ANN ARBOR, MI – The Department of Health in Washtenaw County announced on Saturday that it is aware of a possible public exposure to the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7.
A total of five cases of the variant have been identified and additional sequence is being pursued for other possible cases that are already positive for COVID-19, according to the May 23 news release from the Department of Health.
Officials say in short, public exposure is not normally a COVID-19 exposure, but the B.1.1.7. variant is more easily transmitted and can lead to more cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Related: Another 2 cases of COVID-19 variant linked to Washtenaw County woman
Washtenaw Health Leaders recommend immediate COVID-19 testing to anyone at the following locations at specified times:
- Sunday, Jan. 17 at the Meijer at Ann Arbor Saline Rd., Ann Arbor MI, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, January 17 at Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor MI, from 1pm to 2pm
Related: What Michiganders Need to Know About the New Coronavirus Variant B.1.1.7
The initial case of the B.1.1.7. according to the release, the variant was identified on January 16 at the University of Michigan. It is not clear whether all subsequent cases were linked to this first case.
“The possibility of additional spread of the variant is worrying,” said Juan Luis Marquez, managing director, MPH, medical director of Washtenaw County Health Department.
‘At this point and with the leadership of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we encourage extra precautions. Find out if you have any symptoms, have recently been exposed to COVID-19 or have recently traveled to a place where the new variant is in circulation. And everyone should make sure they use all COVID-19 precautions consistently. These include face masks, social distance, hand cleaning, avoiding crowds or gatherings, and following isolation and guidance in quarantine. ”
Although more contagious, there is no evidence that B.1.1.7 affects the clinical outcome or severity of disease compared to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
The Department of Health in Washtenaw County, MDHHS and the University of Michigan are working closely together to implement additional delivery strategies to slow the spread of the variant.
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