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ANN ARBOR, MI – The Washtenaw County Department of Health announced on Saturday that it was aware of possible public exposure to the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19.
A total of five cases of the variant have been identified and additional sequencing is ongoing for other possible cases already positive for COVID-19, according to the Jan. 23 press release from the health department.
Officials say public exhibits are not normally an issue of COVID-19 exposure but B.1.1.7. The variant is more easily transmitted and could lead to more cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
Related: 2 more cases of COVID-19 variant linked to woman in Washtenaw County
Washtenaw health officials recommend immediate COVID-19 testing for anyone in the following locations at specified times:
- Sunday January 17 at the Meijer on Ann Arbor Saline Rd., Ann Arbor MI from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Sunday January 17 at Briarwood Mall, 100 Briarwood Circle, Ann Arbor MI from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Related: What Michiganders Should Know About New Coronavirus Variant B.1.1.7
The initial case of B.1.1.7. variant was identified Jan. 16 in the University of Michigan community, the statement said. It is not clear whether all of the following cases are related to this first case.
“The possibility of further spread of the variant is a concern,” said Juan Luis Marquez, MD, MPH, medical director of the Washtenaw County health department.
“At this point and with guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, we encourage additional precautions. Look for tests if you are showing symptoms, have recently been exposed to COVID-19, or have recently traveled to a place where the new variant is circulating. And everyone needs to make sure they use all COVID-19 precautions consistently. This includes face masks, social distancing, hand cleaning, avoiding crowds or gatherings, and following isolation and quarantine advice. “
Although considered to be more contagious, there is no indication that B.1.1.7 affects clinical outcome or disease severity compared to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Personal Services (MDHHS).
The Washtenaw County Department of Health, MDHHS and the University of Michigan are working closely to implement additional containment strategies to slow the spread of the variant, the statement said.
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