ALLEGAN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories has identified a case of the COVID-19 Variant B.1.1.7. in Allegan County Friday, March 19th.
Health officials are reporting that a middle-aged resident with no travel history tested positive for the variant which is believed to have emerged in the United Kingdom and has since been detected in many countries and states.
Authorities say this variant is concerning because of it’s association with increased transmissibility. Compared to the wild-type virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is approximately 50 percent more transmissible, leading to faster spread of the virus and potentially increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
With the high transmission rate of the B.1.1.7 variant, health officials stress that vaccination is more important than ever and say residents should get vaccinated as soon as it is offered to them.
The health department say the COVID-19 vaccines appear to be effective against the variant.
