The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring COVID-19 after the first U.S. case was detected in Michigan this week.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, seven cases of the highly mutated BA.2.86 strain have been found worldwide, including one in Washtenaw County. Persons infected with BA.2.86 are elderly and have mild symptoms.
“Based on the available evidence, it is not yet known what risks this may pose to public health beyond those seen in other strains currently in circulation,” the Michigan Department said. spokeswoman Chelsea Wooth said in a statement. Department of Health and Human Services.
Woos said state health officials are working with the CDC to gather more information about the new strain.
The World Health Organization reported strain BA.2.86 on Thursday 17 August as a “variant under surveillance” because it “has a large number of mutations.” the announcement said. The agency said more data were needed to understand the strain’s range, but “the number of mutations requires caution.”
Related: Some Michigan Hospitals Earned Hundreds of Millions During the Darkest Times of COVID-19
Additional cases were confirmed this week in Israel, Denmark and the UK According to GISAIDa global virus tracker.
“Public health agencies continue to investigate cases and test available specimens to understand the spread of COVID-19 within the population. We have sequenced the novel coronavirus to detect , which has identified this variant,” said Professor Woos.
Health experts say the BA.2.86 mutation is similar in size to the one that caused Omicron, which became the dominant strain last fall. But virologist Jesse Bloom at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center said: said in a slideshow Even if a “new highly mutated variant” begins to spread, “most people now have some immunity to SARS-CoV-2, so we will be less likely to survive than in 2020 or 2021.” would be in a much better position.”
Michigan’s last reported cases of COVID-19 are increasing but still low.
Hospitalizations averaged 1.5 per 100,000 people per day, higher than the previous week but significantly lower than the peak of 40.State Report Says Case Rate Is on the Rise August 15th updatebut that level is close to the lowest since March 2020.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting tested for COVID-19 if you feel unwell. The state is also urging residents to adhere to the following: Get the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines As a defense against serious illness and hospitalization.
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