IRON MOUNTAIN — Local health officials reported Monday that a COVID-19 variant originally recorded in Great Britain has now been identified in both Dickinson and Florence counties.

Having cases of the B.1.1.7 variant surface in the region are “concerning” because “compared to the standard SARS-CoV- 2 virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is approximately 50 percent more transmissible, leading to faster spread of the virus and potentially increasing numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths,” according to a news release from the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department.

However, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services states that based on initial evidence, all three authorized vaccines effectively reduce the risk of COVID-19 for all of the circulating variants, according to the Florence County Health Department.

“With this new strain being present in our community, it is even more important that we all get vaccinated,” the health department stated.

Both Michigan and Wisconsin on Monday announced they will make the vaccine available to anyone age 16 or older.

The two health departments encouraged residents in their counties to call or go online for information on scheduling an appointment.

The office number is 906-774-1868 for Dickinson County, 906-265-9913 for Iron County and 715-528-4837 for Florence County.