KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) The first case of the new, more contagious B.1.1.7. variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Kalamazoo County.
The Health & Community Services Department identified the virus in an adult over the age of 80 who lives in Kalamazoo County and had no travel history. At this time, public health is conducting contact tracing and disease investigation to identify any close contacts, who will be quarantined for 14 days and tested for COVID-19 if discovered.
In Kalamazoo County, the variant was identified as part of a proactive submission of samples from healthcare partners to the state public health laboratory. Without submission of the samples, the variant otherwise would not have been identified.