JUNE 2021

The Michigan Update

MDHHS Epidemiology Update: SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.617

Meghan Weinberg, PhD, MPH and Tiffany Henderson, MPH

The SARS-CoV-2 variant strain B.1.617 and three sublineages (B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2, B.1.617.3) were originally detected in India. On June 14, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified B.1.617.2 (Delta) as a variant of concern (VOC) due to evidence of increased transmissibility and potential reduction in neutralization by some EUA monoclonal antibody treatments and post-vaccination sera and the potential to cause more severe disease¹. CDC currently classifies B.1.617.1 (Kappa) and B.1.617.3 as variants of interest (VOI).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), B.1.617.2 (Delta) has been identified in at least 96 countries/territories², including the United States where the estimated proportion of B.1.617.2 (Delta) has increased from 10.0% for the two-week period ending June 5 to 20.6% for the two-week period ending June 19³. Both B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.617.1 (Kappa) cases have been confirmed in Michigan.  Recent studies indicate COVID-19 vaccines are effective against variants of concern, including B.1.617.2; however, completion of the series is necessary for maximum protection⁴.

To slow the introduction of variants of concern in Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends that Local Health Departments treat cases with an international travel history during their incubation period (i.e., 14 days prior to symptom onset or positive diagnostic test) as a suspected variant of concern infection and to perform enhanced follow-up.

Read the enhanced follow-up recommendations >>

Research

Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Suicidal Ideation Among State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

What is already known about this topic?

Increases in mental health conditions have been documented among the general population and health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, data on public health workers are limited.

What is added by this report?

Among 26,174 surveyed state, tribal, local, and territorial public health workers, 53.0% reported symptoms of at least one mental health condition in the past 2 weeks. Symptoms were more prevalent among those who were unable to take time off or worked ≥41 hours per week.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Implementing prevention and control practices that eliminate, reduce, and manage factors that cause or contribute to public health workers’ poor mental health might improve mental health outcomes during emergencies.

Read the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Tools & Resources

The Public Health Law Academy offers free, online training to provide an understanding of the basics of our legal system and the use of law and policy for improving population health outcomes. These self-paced courses were designed for state, tribal, local, and territorial public health professionals, as well as public health lawyers, nurses, educators, advocates, and faculty and students in graduate and undergraduate programs.

View the training series

Trainings & Events

39th Annual Conference on LGBTQ Health

Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (previously known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, or GLMA) will host its 39th annual conference virtually on September 22–25.

The conference theme, Closing the Gaps, focuses on strategies to reduce and eliminate LGBTQ health inequities through expanding access to care and developing leadership of LGBTQ community members and professionals who belong to multiple minority groups.

Register for the conference. 

This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement number 1NU90TP922062-01-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.

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