HILLSDALE COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency said on Wednesday the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in a Hillsdale County COVID positive resident.
The individual has been in isolation since the initial COVID-19 diagnosis. Variant identification is learned after further testing of the initial specimen called sequencing.
The COVID-19 virus, as expected with a coronavirus, has changed over the past year. The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant originated in the United Kingdom and has been found throughout the United States, with the first case in Michigan recorded in January.
Health officials say the B.1.1.7 variant spreads more easily and is believed to be more contagious. But they say there is no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the original strain.
“Since the variant is more contagious, the virus could potentially infect more people with less exposure”, said Rebecca Burns, Health Officer of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJCHA). “Which is why it is imperative our community strengthen prevention measures by wearing masks, physically distancing, avoiding crowds, washing hands frequently and getting vaccinated when it becomes available to you.”
Based on available evidence, current tests and vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent its spread.
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