Coronavirus Variant Found In UMichigan Athletes; Sports Paused

ANN ARBOR, MI — Five cases of the B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant have been found among athletes at the University of Michigan, forcing the cancellation of sports at the Big Ten school for up to two weeks.

The strain was first found at the beginning of the semester in an athlete traveling from the United Kingdom, according to a report from the Michigan Daily, where the more contagious variant was first found and spread. It has since been confirmed in a number of states across the country, but not before this in a major collegiate sports program.

Twenty-two other coronavirus cases in Michigan athletes were reported with the variant cases, the student journalist report states. That's an increase from the number of positive virus tests reported by the school's athletic department a week before.

The school said the indefinite cancellation will include all games and individual training sessions. Sports that are in a current season at the school include men's basketball, women's basketball, wrestling and volleyball.

While the variant is known to spread more easily than other mutations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there's no evidence it leads to a more severe form of illness.

"Canceling competitions is never something we want to do, but with so many unknowns about this variant of COVID-19, we must do everything we can to minimize the spread among student-athletes, coaches, staff, and to the student-athletes at other schools," University of Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel said in a statement.

The positive cases will only impact athletics at the school, according to the Detroit Free Press. Spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told the newspaper the state's health department "did not recommend changes beyond athletics."

A sixth positive variant case from the state has been reported in Wayne County, FOX reported Sunday.

This article originally appeared on the Across Michigan Patch