There were 745 Chippewa County COVID cases documented in yesterday's seven-day count, quite a jump from the 447 cases recorded Wednesday evening.
This means that 1,994.7 per 100,000 county residents have tested positive for the virus and/or variants. There were 20 hospital admissions recorded.
Michigan’s seven-day count is at 142,275 cases. There were 548.57 new hospital admissions and 377 deaths.
The percentage of fully vaccinated state residents over the age of five was 61.3%. Meanwhile, 71.1% of county residents have been fully vaccinated. This number remains unchanged.
Chippewa County Health Department Health Officer Karen Senkus has received confirmation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that the Covid-19 Omicron variant has arrived in Chippewa County.
“Since January 1, 2022, more than 800 cases of Covid-19 have been reported in Chippewa County,” CCHD Health Officer Karen Senkus stated in a press release.
CCHD pointed to the variant as the culprit to the country’s rapid rise in cases over the past few weeks. The omicron variant spreads faster than prior COVID variants.
MDHHD maintains that vaccines are effective in the fight against omicron and other variants of the deadly virus.
The release stated that people who have previously tested positive for Covid-19 are at much lower risk of developing severe symptoms, leading to hospitalization or death.
CCHD has strongly encouraged community members take the following steps to mitigate the virus’s spread:
- Wear a fitted mask when in close contact to others
- Get vaccinated, including a booster shot
- Quarantine and get tested if ill with a fever and other symptoms
- Notify those close to you if a positive result is received
Senkus stated that CCHD and its community partners will be receiving KN95 masks to distribute to the public soon.
Senkus has advised residents to get their vaccinations and booster shots.
“If you have not yet received a Covid-19 vaccine or a booster, please do so,” Senkus said.
Senkus would also like to remind anyone who has been exposed or is exhibiting symptoms to get tested.
For more information on how to protect you and your loved ones, visit the Chippewa County Health Department website at https://www.chippewahd.com or call the COVID-19 Hotline at 906-635-3640.
For a list of available COVID-19 testing sites near you, visit www.chippewahd.com.
Community members can receive up to four home test kits when ordering online through: https://www.covidtests.gov/.
