Health officials in Michigan worry about COVID variants

ANN ARBOR As of January 22, 2021, Michigan has three confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 – the new more contagious strain of coronavirus.

The three women are affiliated with the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. One of the women traveled to the UK in early January.

“We have now identified one outbreak, but there may be others,” said Dr Joneigh Khaldun. “We have found other cases in the state that have not yet been identified and cases that are not related to the outbreak.”

B.1.1.7 – the British variant – spreads more easily. Every person who gets it is significantly more likely to infect more people.

Scientists are also concerned about new variants being detected in South Africa and Brazil that have not yet been found in the United States.

At the White House. Dr Anthony Fauci stressed that the new variants emphasize the need for people to be vaccinated quickly.

“That’s all the more reason why we should vaccinate as many people as possible,” Fauci said. ‘As long as the virus is there, which repeats, viruses are not mutated unless it repeats. And if you can suppress it through a very good vaccination campaign, you can avoid this adverse effect that you may get due to the mutations. ‘

Fauci said although certain mutations may make the vaccines less protective, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are extremely effective enough to have a cushioning effect that can still provide protection.

The new British strain is more contagious because it is better at sticking to the receptors in our nose, lungs and digestive tract, making it even more important to follow precautions such as wearing a mask.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that there was evidence that the new strain, in addition to being easier to disperse, could be more deadly. The research is considered preliminary, but it is something that experts monitor.

RELATED: Michigan Health Director Robert Gordon announces resignation

Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, abruptly resigned Friday.

Gordon and dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical officer, was the face of MDHHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gordon has been to Whitmer’s briefings many times and recently took part in a virtual update on Tuesday.

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