MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Department of Health in Marquette County (MCHD) was notified Tuesday that genetic tests have confirmed that the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in a positive case within Marquette is. County.
This is the first confirmation of the B.1.1.7 variant in Upper Michigan. The first B.1.1.7 case was identified in mid-January in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
This variant is of concern because it is associated with increased portability, MCHD said in a release. Compared to the standard SARS-CoV-2 virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is about 50 percent more transmissible, leading to faster spread of the virus and possibly increasing number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Therefore, MCHD said that additional public health efforts are needed once the variant is identified, to slow the spread within the community.
The health department said we should all work together to make an effort to be vaccinated and adhere to social distance, mask use, hand hygiene and other mitigation strategies. Vaccine registration is now available to ANY citizen aged 16 and over. Those interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccination can now register via the link at www.mqthealth.org
Once your vaccination is available, an email will be sent to the email address you provided on the pre-registration form. This email contains a unique link that allows you to select an appointment time. The link will only work for the registered person and can only be used once.
E-mails will be sent this week for appointments on Thursday 18 March and Saturday 20 March.
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