Michigan confirms the first case of a South African COVID variant in Jackson County

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first case of COVID-19 variant B.1.351 has been identified in a Jackson County child.

The health department did not say how the boy became infected, but a case is being investigated to determine close contacts and whether there are additional cases associated.

This new variant was originally detected in South Africa in October 2020 and shares some mutations with variant B117. The first case of variant B117 – originally detected in the UK – was identified in Washtenaw County.

TO READ: Everything we know about virus variants in Michigan, USA

Announcements

Officials said B.1.351 is believed to be more contagious, but there is no evidence that it “affects the clinical outcomes or severity of the disease compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating in the United States for months. “.

However, a higher transmission rate could increase the number of people who need to be hospitalized or lose their lives for COVID-19 if the new variant begins to circulate widely in Michigan. Officials said as of Monday, the variant has been identified in 20 more states and jurisdictions.

This case in Michigan is the only one identified at this time. It was first reported in the U.S. on Jan. 28 when it was identified in two people in South Carolina.

Announcements

“We are concerned about the discovery of another variant in Michigan, although it was not unexpected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical officer and deputy chief of health. “We continue to urge Michiganders to pursue a research-based approach by wearing masks properly, socially distancing themselves, avoiding crowds, washing their hands often, and making a plan to get the COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective once it’s their turn. “We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as soon as possible.”

Based on the available evidence, current evidence can identify COVID-19 in these cases. Available COVID-19 vaccines also work against this new variant.