ANN ARBOR – As of January 22, 2021, Michigan had three confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 – a new, more contagious strain of the coronavirus.
The three women were connected to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. One of the women had traveled to Great Britain in early January.
“We have now identified one outbreak, but there may be another outbreak,” he said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “Other cases in the state that have not been identified and cases not related to the outbreak that we have found.”
B.1.1.7 – British variant – spreads more easily. Everyone who has it is significantly more likely to infect more people.
Scientists are also concerned about new variants detected in South Africa and Brazil, which have not been found in the United States.
At the White House. Anthony Fauci stressed that this new variant emphasizes the need for people to be vaccinated quickly.
“That’s a lot more of the reason why we should vaccinate as many people as possible,” Fauci said. “As long as viruses are out there, replicating, viruses don’t mutate unless they replicate. And if you can suppress it with an excellent vaccine campaign, you can actually avoid the damaging effects you might have from this mutation. “
Fauci said that while certain mutations might make the vaccine less protective, the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective enough that there will be a cushioning effect that still provides protection.
The new UK strain is more contagious because it is better at attaching to receptors in our nose, lungs and digestive tract, so it is more important to follow precautions like wearing a mask.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that there was some evidence that the new strain, apart from being easier to spread, might be more lethal. This research is considered preliminary, but it is something experts are monitoring.
RELATED: Michigan health director Robert Gordon announced his retirement
Robert Gordon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, resigned unexpectedly on Friday.
Gordon and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun has been the face of MDHHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gordon was a frequent presence at Whitmer’s briefings and most recently participated in virtual updates Tuesday.
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