(WWJ) While no cases of the mutated COVID-19 virus identified in the United Kingdom have yet been confirmed in Michigan, top health experts are preparing for the "likely" prospect.
"It is very likely that it's already here, or that it will be here soon," said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "So that is concerning."
Michigan's leading epidemiologist told reporters Wednesday that the state's laboratory in Lansing is on the lookout for the mutant strain — referred to as the B.1.1.7 variant — which spreads more quickly from person-to-person than previous strains.
"I don't think we would be surprised if it was here already." said Sarah Lyon-Callo, director of the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
So, why don't they know for sure?
Speaking live on WWJ Newsradio 950, Dr. Matthew Sims, director of Infectious Disease Research at Beaumont in Royal Oak, said the problem is that infected Michiganders aren't checked for it on a regular basis.
"There's a reasonable chance (the mutant strain) is here in Michigan. We don't routinely check every patient that get diagnosed with COVID to see what strain that have," Sims explained. "It's a very sporadic sort of thing. It's done through research or it's done through the departments of health. But it's not routinely done."
Lyon-Callo said state health officials are now working with local health departments to determine if there's anyone who is positive and has a recent travel history to the UK. Then, she said, they can get a sample from that person to check for the strain.
So far, more than 50 cases of the new strain of COVID-19 have been identified in the U.S. in five states according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Lyon-Callo said the best way for Michiganders to prepare for a potentially more infectious strain of the virus is to continue to mask-up and follow safety measures including social distancing and hand-washing.
All viruses mutate often. The good news is, WWJ's Dr, Deanna Lites reports experts believe approved COVID-19 vaccines already being administered in Michigan and across the U.S. will be effective against the variant.
There's also no evidence so far that the strain is more likely to cause more severe illness, or increase the risk of death.
More detailed information about the B.1.1.7 strain from the CDC can be found at THIS LINK. For the latest on vaccinations in Michigan — including where and when you can get yours — visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine.
