COVID-19 VARIANT

New COVID-19 cases continue to fall in the United States, and more states and communities are rolling back precautions. But experts are carefully monitoring a variant of omicron known as BA.2.

Michigan health officials have identified the state’s first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant in Kent County.

Experts are concerned that a new variant of COVID-19, “omicron,” could possibly be even more contagious than the delta variant and more resistant to vaccinations.

Michigan reported on Thursday that there are now 32 cases of the delta COVID variant in eight Michigan counties.

Michigan has confirmed its first case of another new COVID-19 variant, this one from India.

Michigan has identified its first case of the P.1 variant of COVID-19, which was first found in Brazil and is believed to be more contagious, like other variants of the virus.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mich. – Three new cases of the more contagious COVID-19 B117 variant have been identified in St. Clair County. St. Clair County health officials said their county’s first case of B117 was identified in February. The woman in her 40s was a close contact of the woman in her 60s, according to St. Clair County health officials. It’s passed more easily between people, but there’s no indication that it causes more severe cases of COVID-19, experts said. Ad“We are doubling down with variant case investigations,” said Dr. Annette Mercatante, medical health officer of the St. Clair County Health Department.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant B.1.351 has been identified in a child in Jackson County. This new variant was originally detected in South Africa in October 2020 and shares some mutations with the B117 variant. The first case of the B117 variant -- originally detected in the United Kingdom -- was identified in Washtenaw County. 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.

University of Michigan asks students to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidaysANN ARBOR – Officials at the University of Michigan have announced a significant decrease in cases of COVID-19 on campus. In the school’s bi-weekly COVID update, officials reported on Tuesday that school-related cases now represent 27% of the total cases in Washtenaw County. Just two weeks ago, U-M cases -- the majority of which were linked to students -- accounted for 62% of the total cases in the county. AdSoon after, the school implemented mandatory weekly testing for graduate and professional students after outbreaks emerged in circles of older students and in off campus houses. Undergraduates on campus have been tested regularly for the virus since the start of the semester.

LANSING, Mich. – The number of the confirmed cases of a more contagious COVID-19 variant in Michigan increased by more than 100 this week, suggesting there is “undetected spread” in the community. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state has confirmed 422 cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant. READ: 12 takeaways from Whitmer’s March 2, 2021, COVID briefingThat number increased from 314 cases identified as of six days prior (Feb. 24). Michigan’s case rate down to 91.2 cases per million population. It was only a 0.2% increase, but Michigan officials said the change is also similar to early October.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has confirmed 157 cases of the more contagious COVID-19 B117 variant across 12 counties in the state, officials said. “This means isolation, quarantine and frequent testing whenever we identify outbreaks associated with the variant.”The B117 variant was first identified in the United Kingdom. A person connected to the University of Michigan athletic department tested positive for the B117 variant after traveling to the UK. But since then, Michigan has confirmed cases in many other counties, Khaldun said. AdOn Tuesday, officials announced 90 cases of that variant have been identified at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia.

IONIA, Mich. – Ninety cases of the SARS-CoV-2 B117 variant have been identified at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Officials said the COVID-19 variant cases were identified after daily testing of inmates and staff at the facility. According to health officials, of those 90 cases, 88 are prisoners and two are employees. Health officials advise that Michiganders should:Wash hands often. AdEarlier this month, the variant was identified in Kent County after already identified in Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ANN ARBOR – No cost COVID testing will return to Pioneer High School on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. According to the Washtenaw County Health Department, the free pop-up site in the school’s parking lot will be offering weekly testing. All positive tests will be sequenced for the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant, which is known to be present in Washtenaw County. The event is supported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Washtenaw County Health Department, HONU Management Group and Ann Arbor Public Schools. For more information about free testing events in Washtenaw County, click here.

University officials have confirmed that some outbreaks of the virus on campus include the new, highly contagious COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant. Testing offered to the local community is limited to those living within three blocks from campus. If you do not live right next to campus but would like to be tested, visit Washtenaw County’s COVID testing website to find a free clinic near you. AdAdditionally, free testing is now offered weekly at Pioneer High School. The university-run saliva-based testing will be offered to U-M students, faculty, staff and Ann Arbor residents living geographically close to the university on the following days and times:Information on U-M's community testing program from Feb. 3-28, 2021.

ANN ARBOR – Cases of COVID-19 have increased at the University of Michigan, now making up for 34% of total cases in Washtenaw County, university officials reported on Tuesday. The recommendation was urged by the Washtenaw County Health Department as several new cases of the new, highly contagious B117 COVID-19 variant were reported on campus. AdRead: University of Michigan students asked to stay home to curb virus spreadThe number of residences placed under quarantine has doubled since Saturday due to new positive cases and potential exposures. Read: University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus housesAccording to U-M’s COVID Dashboard, the university has reported 438 positive cases in the past 14 days, and 36,065 tests had been administered in the same time period. According to preliminary data, the positivity rate jumped the week starting Jan. 31 to 14.3%, compared to 1.3% the week prior.

ANN ARBOR – A coalition of student athletes at the University of Michigan are calling for the 14 day shutdown of athletics to be lifted. Now, student athletes are speaking out and have launched a petition to MDHHS to resume practices and competitions. We trust the guidance and leadership of those in charge of the health and safety of Michigan student-athletes. Given the University’s knowledge of the situation surrounding the athletic department, should a total shutdown have been necessary, it should have come from the University of Michigan leaders. The student-athletes at the University of Michigan stand united in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and keeping every member of our community safe.

DETROIT – On Tuesday, the Washtenaw County Health Department announced seven close contacts of the first person to carry a COVID-19 variant in Michigan have been identified and are being tested. The contacts are being monitored more closely than normal, according to the health department. The first case of the COVID-19 variant believed to be more contagious was detected in Michigan over the weekend. Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Saturday, Jan. 16 that an adult female living in Washtenaw County contracted a new COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7. READ MORE: First case of COVID variant detected in Michigan: What to know

The first case of a COVID-19 variant believed to be more contagious was detected in Michigan over the weekend. Two additional positive COVID cases have been identified among close contacts with the Washtenaw County woman, but it is unclear if those two individuals are also infected with the virus variant. What do we know about COVID variant B.1.1.7.? The B.1.1.7 variant is estimated to have emerged in September 2020 and has quickly become the dominant circulating SARS-CoV-2 variant in England, the CDC says. Earlier this month, research suggested Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine can protect against the B.1.1.7 variant, specifically.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials have identified the state’s first case of a new coronavirus variant, believed to be more contagious, in an infected individual living in Washtenaw County. Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Saturday, Jan. 16 that an adult female living in Washtenaw County has contracted a new COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7. Officials say she recently traveled to the United Kingdom, where the variant was first identified and has recently sent part of that country into a strict lockdown to help curb virus spread. According to authorities, two additional positive COVID cases have been identified among close contacts with the Washtenaw County woman, but it is unclear if those two individuals are also infected with the virus variant. Officials say the variant has now been identified in at least 16 other states as of Jan. 16.