MARQUETTE — The Marquette County Health Department has been notified that genetic testing confirmed that the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in a positive case within Marquette County.

Dr. Bob Lorinser, health department medical director, noted the case represented the first time the variant has been found in the Upper Peninsula.

The variant is concerning because it is associated with increased transmissibility, the MCHD said. Compared with the standard SARS-CoV-2 virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is about 50% more transmissible, which leads to a faster spread of the virus and potentially increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Therefore, the MCHD said additional public health efforts are required once the variant has been identified to slow community spread.

The MCHD stressed the use of social distancing, mask use, hand hygiene and other mitigation strategies, plus it urged people to get vaccinated.