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

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

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

Officials say he recently traveled to the UK, where the variant was first identified and that he has recently sent part of that country to a strict blockade to help curb the spread of the virus. Two additional cases of COVID positive have been identified among close contacts with the Washtenaw County woman, but it is unclear whether these two people are also infected with the virus variant.

While this is the first instance detected of the variant, it is very likely to have spread to the state and the United States for months.

It is estimated that variant B.1.1.7 emerged in September 2020 and has quickly become the dominant circulating 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 10 U.S. states. Several lines of evidence indicate that B.1.1.7 is transmitted more efficiently than other SARS-CoV-2 variants, reports the CDC.

EXPLANATORY: Scientists trying to understand the new variant of the virus

The modeling CDC the trajectory of this variant in the United States predicts rapid growth in early 2021, becoming the predominant variant in March. Increased transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may threaten health care resources, require more extensive and rigorous implementation of public health strategies, and increase the percentage of population immunity needed for control. of the pandemic.

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

The CDC says taking steps to reduce transmission can now lessen the potential impact of B.1.1.7 and allow for critical time to increase vaccination coverage.

“Collectively, enhanced genomic surveillance combined with continued compliance with effective public health measures, such as vaccination, physical distancing, the use of masks, hand hygiene and isolation, and quarantine, will be essential to limit the spread, ”the CDC reports.

Starting Jan. 18 in Michigan, hospitalizations, case growth, and test positivity are close to their lowest point in several weeks, and the state has been reopening some business areas with it plans to reopen more in February.

It is believed that existing and future vaccines can handle this and other variants of COVID-19. Earlier this month, research suggested The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can be protected against variant B.1.1.7, specifically.

The study was preliminary and did not examine the other two main vaccines used in the West: Moderna and AstraZeneca. But it was reassuring, given the questions about whether the virus could mutate to defeat the traits on which the world has placed its hopes.

“There’s no reason to think vaccines don’t work so well in these strains,” said Dr. Frederic Bushman of the University of Pennsylvania, who monitors how the virus mutates. “A mutation will change a small place, but it won’t affect the bonding of all of them.”

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

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

Viruses change constantly through mutation and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time.

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

If you are not yet fit for vaccination, find out the drill here:

• Wear a mask around the others.

• Keep 6 feet away from others.

• Wash your hands often.

• Ventilate indoor spaces.

“The discovery of this variant in Michigan is troubling, but not unexpected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and deputy chief of health at MDHHS. “We all have a personal responsibility to curb the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as quickly as possible. We continue to urge Michiganders to follow a research-based approach by wearing masks properly, distancing themselves socially, avoiding crowds, washing- get his hands on it often and make a plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective once it’s his turn. “

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