58 cases of Delta variant identified in Michigan — two in Detroit

The number of known cases of the highly infectious coronavirus Delta variant have doubled in Michigan in the past week, new numbers from Michigan health officials show, with two cases now reported in Detroit.

The B.1.617.2 variant is the most contagious mutation of the coronavirus, spreading about 225% faster than the first version of the virus, research shows. It is currently the dominant strain in the U.S.

Detroit is particularly vulnerable to the variant, which is surging in pockets of the country with low vaccination rates. Less than 40 percent of Detroiters have received their first dose of the vaccine, compared to 57 percent of Michiganders.

Mayor Mike Duggan this week expressed optimism about the city's pandemic recovery, with just 30 people currently hospitalized for Covid-19, but warned the Delta variant "is real."

Additional Delta cases have been reported throughout the tri-county region. As of Friday afternoon, there were 4 in Oakland County, 9 in Wayne and 1 in Macomb.