Two COVID-19 variants discovered in Northeast Michigan

ALPENA, Mich. — Two additional variants of COVID–19 have been found in Northeast Michigan.

District Health Department No. Four has been notified of 15 confirmed cases of COVID–19 variants across Alpena, Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties.

Fourteen of the confirmed cases are the B.1.429 variant, with one case being the B.1.427 variant.

Both are labeled as “Variants of Concern” and were originally discovered in California.

The variants are more transmissible and is more likely to result in severe symptoms, according to health officials.

Total COVID-19 cases across our viewing area

Alpena County: 9 new cases and 2,025 total cases.

Montmorency County: 1 new case and 528 cases

Presque Isle County: 1 new case and 947 total cases

Alcona County: 5 new cases, 692 total cases

Iosco County: 13 new cases, 1839 total cases

Oscoda County: 7 new cases, 583 total cases