JACKSON, MI - A Jackson County boy has been identified as the first Michigan case of the South African COVID-19 has been identified in Jackson County, state officials said.
The B.1.351 variant was identified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Laboratories on Monday, March 8.
Case investigation is currently underway to determine close contacts of this boy, and if there are additional cases associated with this case, MDHHS officials said. State health officials did not release the age of the boy.
Originally detected in early October 2020 in South Africa, this variant shares some mutations with the UK B.1.1.7 variant. As of March 8, Michigan has identified 516 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant in 23 Michigan jurisdictions.
Cases of the South African variant were first reported in the United States at the end of January.
B.1.351 is believed to be more contagious, but there has been no indication it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity compared to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been circulating across the United States for months, MDHHS officials said.
Based on available evidence, current tests can identify COVID-19 in these cases, MDHHS officials said. The available COVID-19 vaccines also work against the new variant, although scientists are still evaluating how effective they are against this new variant.
Based on available evidence, current tests can identify COVID-19 in these cases, MDHHS officials said. The available COVID-19 vaccines also work against the new variant, they said.
A higher rate of transmission could increase the number of people who need to be hospitalized or who lose their lives to COVID-19 should the new variant begin circulating widely in Michigan, MDHHS officials said.
The virus has been identified in at least 20 other states. This is the only known case in Michigan at this time, but it is possible there are more that have not been identified, MDHHS officials said.
“We are concerned about the discovery of another variant in Michigan, although it was not unexpected,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in a news release.
“We continue to urge Michiganders to follow a research-based approach 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. We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as quickly as possible.”
For the most current information, visit the Jackson County Health Department webpage located at Jackson County Health Department COVID vaccine webpage or its Facebook page.
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