COVID variant found in Houghton County

By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

HANCOCK — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has identified a variant of COVID-19 that is thought to have emerged in the United Kingdom in five Houghton County cases, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department announced Monday.

“When a variant is identified or suspected, additional measures take place, such as a strict 14-day quarantine,” WUPHD Health Officer Kate Beer said in the announcement. “A new variant in our community is concerning since it can be related to higher transmission rates. Residents across the jurisdiction...