COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency announced on Friday night that the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in a Branch County COVID positive resident.
They say 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. Branch, Hillsdale and St. Joseph Counties have now had a sample identified as the B.1.1.7 variant. The announcement about the Hillsdale County variant was made on Wednesday.
The 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 this variant spreads more easily and is believed to be more contagious. However, there is no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the original strain.
Health Officer Rebecca Burns says, “Since the variant is more contagious, the virus could potentially infect more people with less exposure. 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.”
Officials say based on the available evidence, current tests and vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant.
The news comes one day after the Health Agency reported Branch County had 24 new cases of COVID-19 which was the largest amount of cases in one day since January 21 when 26 cases were reported.
That brought the total number of Branch County cases during the pandemic up to 3,679. Branch County has also recorded its first COVID-19 related death in the last couple of weeks. That brings the number of Branch County residents who have died after testing positive for the virus up to 88. There have been 91 deaths reported in St. Joseph County and 79 deaths in Hillsdale County.
Meanwhile, Michigan has become a hot spot for the coronavirus as cases have soared in recent weeks following a downturn between late January and early March.
Data shows Michigan has the worst COVID-19 surge in the nation right now as the state has the highest daily new virus cases, infection rates and positive test rates.
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