This story appeared in the Petoskey News-Review. Read more here.
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is strongly urging residents who are not fully vaccinated to get their COVID-19 vaccine as the Delta variant spreads rapidly across the U.S. and could become the dominant strain in the next few weeks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data recently showing that the prevalence of the Delta strain more than doubled over the two weeks ended June 19 to 20.6% of positive COVID-19 positive tests, compared with 9.9% in the week ended June 5.
“We strongly urge those who are not fully vaccinated to get their COVID-19 vaccine,” said Lisa Peacock, health officer with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “All three vaccines — Pfizer, Moderna and J&J (Johnson & Johnson) — have proven to be safe and effective against this new variant, which is highly transmissible and particularly risky to people who are unvaccinated,” Peacock said.
As summer gets into full swing, the health department is urging parents to consider getting their child, ages 12-18, vaccinated now so they can safely gather with family and friends throughout the coming months and be fully vaccinated in time for sports and return to school in the fall.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), 54.4% of the residents in Otsego County have been vaccinated as of June 30.
Meanwhile the World Health Organization urged fully vaccinated people to continue to wear masks, social distance and practice other COVID-19 mitigation measures as the Delta variant continues to spread rapidly.
Case count
As of Wednesday, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan reported Otsego County had 2,362 COVID-19 cases and 41 deaths to date from the coronavirus. A week earlier the county had 2,357 cases and 41 deaths.
Antrim County was reporting 1,636 cases and 30 deaths as of Wednesday, while Charlevoix County had 1,681 cases and 22 deaths. Emmet County had 2,384 cases and 42 deaths.
Last week Antrim County reported 1,635 cases and 29 deaths while Charlevoix County had 1,681 cases and 22 deaths. Emmet County had 2,384 cases and 42 deaths.
Statewide, Michigan was reporting 894,628 cases and 19,748 deaths as of Wednesday. A week ago the state had 893,756 cases and 19,664 deaths, according to MDHHS.
The first two confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan were reported March 10, 2020 and the first death was reported March 19 of last year.