LANSING – Michigan officials gave an update on the new COVID strain that has been detected in the state.

During this week's media briefing, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says they have identified the new COVID variant. It's called B-1-1-7. She says there are now at least 13 variant cases confirmed in Washtenaw County, and they
know of at least 4 in Wayne County. Khaldun says there are likely more cases that have not been identified, and there is probably more spread of the variant right now.

Khaldun says this variant is more easily spread from person to person which means any given case it will likely infect more people and lead to more spread. That could mean more cases overall, more hospitalizations and more deaths. Khaldun says the good news is this variant doesn't appear to cause more severe disease.

Khaldun says the current tests can identify this variant and the current vaccines appear to work against it. She says this new virus is concerning and the MDHHS is working to help slow its spread.