IONIA, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Michigan Department of Corrections says there have been 90 cases of the new COVID-19 variant detected at a prison in mid-Michigan.
According to the MDHHS, daily testing of prisoners and staff at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia detective 90 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7. variant.
The state began daily testing of prisoners and staff after an employee at the prison was found to have the variant.
During the first set of samples provided to the state, 90 of 95 tested had the variant – 88 prisoners and two employees. There are still 100 lab results pending.
The variant was first detected in Washtenaw County and is believed to be more contagious and spreads quicker.
Since the daily testing results have come in, the state said the number of positive cases has been on the decline.
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