'Double-Mutant' Coronavirus Variant Identified In Michigan

LANSING, MI — Michigan health officials said the state has confirmed its first case of a COVID-19 virus variant first detected in India.

The state has confirmed a case of the B.1.617 variant in Clinton County, Chelsea Wuth, an associate public information officer with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, told Patch Friday.

The variant has been called a "double mutant" because it carries two well-known mutations, including one that changes the spike protein and could make the virus less susceptible to pre-existing antibodies. Authorities believe the virus is more contagious than others due to its second mutation, although that doesn't necessarily mean it's more deadly.

The variant first detected in India has been spreading rapidly in the United Kingdom, where more than 400 cases have been identified and causing officials to worry, according to The Guardian.

The B.1.617 is the sixth variant to be identified in Michigan, with more than 6,000 total cases being variants of the coronavirus, officials said Friday.