The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department says a case of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 has been found in Van Buren County. The B.1.1.7 variant is the COVID variant first found in the United Kingdom. It’s been spreading quickly around the United States. The health department in Van Buren County says it can’t release further details about the individual found with the variant. It’s urging everyone to continue to take precautions against COVID-19, especially as new variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 become more prevalent. Those precautions include getting vaccinated when possible, wearing a mask, frequent hand washing, and distancing. The new B.1.1.7 variant is believed to be about 50% more transmissible than the more common COVID-19. The first Michigan case of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant was identified in Washtenaw County in January. Several other cases have been identified in Michigan since the first case was announced.
