Health

Michigan Confirms First Case of the Brazil Covid Variant

April 01, 2021, 6:44 PM by  Allan Lengel

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(Photo: DepositPhotos)

Besides the rapid pace of vaccinations, Michigan had little good news on the Covid front on Thursday.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the first case of the Brazil variant, associated with increased transmissibility. The patient is in Bay County, about 120 miles north of Detroit.

The news came as the state reported 6,036 new Covid cases and 49 deaths since Wednesday. 

The state said the Bay County Health Department is trying to determine the source of the Brazilian variant while recontacting identified contacts to urge that they quarantine for 14 days.

"We are concerned about the discovery of another variant in Michigan," Health Directror Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement "It is now even more important that Michiganders continue to do what works to slow the spread of the virus by wearing their masks properly, socially distancing, avoiding crowds, washing their hands often and making a plan to get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine once it is their turn."

The Brazilian variant, known as P.1, was first identified in travelers from Brazil during routine airport screening in Tokyo in early January. 

As of Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 172 confirmed cases of the Brazlian variant in 22 states. 

Michigan has identified 1,468 cases of the B.1.1.7, or U.K. variant in 51 jurisdictions and seven cases of the B.1.135 or South African variant infections in six Michigan jurisdictions.



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