Brazil COVID-19 variant found in state

A third type of COVID-19 variant has been found in the state of Michigan.

One case of the Brazil variant, also known as P.1, has been found in a Bay County resident. The case was reported by commercial lab Quest, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was notified on Wednesday, March 31.

“We are concerned about the discovery of another variant in Michigan,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “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.

“We all have a personal responsibility to slow the spread of COVID-19 and end this pandemic as quickly as possible.”

Michigan leads the United States with 397.2 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents in a seven-day average through March 31, per the Centers for Disease Control.

The P.1 variant was first identified in travelers from Brazil during routine airport screening in Tokyo in early January. This variant has been associated with increased transmissibility and there are concerns it might affect both vaccineinduced and natural immunity.

As of March 31, the CDC has reported 172 confirmed P.1 cases from 22 states. Michigan has also identified 1,468 cases of B.1.1.7 variant infections in 51 Michigan jurisdictions and seven cases of B.1.135 variant infections in six Michigan jurisdictions.

The available COVID-19 vaccines also work against this new variant. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of all of the variants that have been identified in Michigan.