Name: Mirroring pandemic beginning, Michigan becomes coronavirus hotspot, likely due to variant
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Mirroring pandemic beginning, Michigan becomes coronavirus hotspot, likely due to variant

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NEW!CLEVELAND, Ohio – Michigan has again become a hotspot for the coronavirus, reporting roughly three times more infections than Ohio each day. Experts blame the prevalence of a more contagious coronavirus variant first discovered in the U.K.Infections have been spiking over the past month in Michigan. The state’s daily average of new infections has roughly tripled during that time, increasing from fewer than 2,000 per day on March 1 to more than 6,000 on Thursday, according to data from the .Ohio has not seen the same type of surge, although the Buckeye State has seen an increase in cases over the past week. Ohio reported 2,475 new infections on Thursday and has been reporting an average of roughly 1,800 new cases cases per day over the past week.Michigan’s surge in infections is likely driven by the prevalence of the coronavirus variant discovered in the U.K., said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the chief medical officer for the Ohio Department of Health. Michigan has seen 1,237 cases of the variant , according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ohio has seen .“Michigan’s upturn is more than three-and-a-half times what we’re seeing in Ohio at this point, and it appears to be driven substantially by variants,” Vanderhoff said during Thursday’s coronavirus briefing.Vanderhoff noted that Ohio is seeing its largest increase in new cases in Zone 1 of its regional coronavirus map. The zone includes the northwestern part of the state, including the area near the Michigan border.The recent spike in cases in Michigan mirrors the early part of the pandemic, when Michigan was . Theories abounded as to why, including that Detroit is home to a major airport and the state had an in-person primary election, while Ohio’s was mail-in only.The Buckeye State experienced its own surge of cases over the summer, bringing Ohio in line with its northern neighbor. Both states also experienced large surges of cases in the late fall and early winter.While the variant discovered in the U.K. is less prevalent in Ohio, Vanderhoff warned it’s being linked to an increasing number of cases in the Buckeye State.The state reported 92 cases linked to variants on March 12 and 173 on March 19. On Thursday, Ohio reported 620 cases linked to variants, Vanderhoff said.Coronavirus variants are becoming more common in Ohio. The state reported 92 cases linked to variants on March 12 and 173 on March 19. On Thursday, Ohio reported 620 cases linked to variants, Vanderhoff said.Approximately 80% of those 620 cases are linked to the variant discovered in the U.K. or two coronavirus variants discovered in California, Vanderhoff said.Those coronavirus variants may be part of the reason Ohio has seen a recent uptick in coronavirus infections. Last week, the state reported a one-week average of roughly 1,500 new cases per day. This week the state reported a one-week average of nearly 1,800 new cases per day, including nearly 2,500 on Wednesday.“Ohio remains in a race against a virus that is now more contagious and is right back on our heels,” Vanderhoff said.The recent increase in cases underscores why everyone who is eligible for a coronavirus vaccine should get one, and the continued need for face masks and social distancing to mitigate the spread of infection, Vanderhoff said.The variant discovered in the U.K. now accounts for 26% of all cases in the U.S, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Wednesday. Florida has seen the largest number of cases linked to the variant followed by Michigan, Wisconsin and California.The variant discovered in the U.K. is roughly doubling in prevalence each week and could soon become the most dominant variant in America, according to . The study found the variant may be 40 to 50% more transmissible than the typical version of the coronavirus. Other studies have also found the variant is .Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

NEW!CLEVELAND, Ohio – Michigan has again become a hotspot for the coronavirus, reporting roughly three times more infections than Ohio each day. Experts blame the prevalence of a more contagious coronavirus variant first discovered in the U.K.Infections have been spiking over the past month in Michigan. The state’s daily average of new infections has roughly tripled during that time, increasing from fewer than 2,000 per day on March 1 to more than 6,000 on Thursday, according to data from the .Ohio has not seen the same type of surge, although the Buckeye State has seen an increase in cases...

Mirroring pandemic beginning, Michigan becomes coronavirus hotspot, likely due to variant

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