IONIA, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Following the discovery of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7. at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, state health officials are providing an update into their findings.
Health officials say results from the daily testing of prisoners and staff has resulted in the detection of 90 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant.
This testing occurred after an employee at the prison was found to have the variant and the Michigan Department of Corrections immediately began to test daily, all prisoners and staff.
Of the first set of samples provided to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories, 90 of the 95 were found to have the variant. Of the 90, there were 88 prisoners and two employees. There are more than 100 lab results still pending.
This variant is believed to be more contagious compared than its better-established variety, known scientifically as the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and as soon as it was detected in the prison, additional precautions were put in place.
Those precautions included daily testing, rather than the previous measure of weekly testing.
Since the daily testing results have come in, the number of COVID-19 positive cases at the facility has been on the decline, which indicates the swift efforts undertaken to reduce the spread is working, according to officials.
Officials add that, based on available evidence, current tests and vaccines for COVID-19 also work against this new variant. Protective actions that prevent the spread of COVID-19 will also prevent the spread of the B.1.1.7. variant.
Health officials add that residents should continue following established health guidelines, including the following:
- Wash hands often.
- Wear a mask around others.
- Stay 6 feet apart from others.
- Ventilate indoor spaces.
- Make a plan to get the vaccine when the opportunity becomes available.\
Residents can visit Michigan.gov/coronavirustest to find the nearest test site.
Information about the vaccine is available at michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.
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