The Chippewa County Health Department (CCHD) has received confirmation from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) that the Covid-19 Omicron variant has arrived in Chippewa County.
According to a press release issued by the county health department, the Omicron variant spreads faster than prior COVID variants.
CCHD pointed to the variant as the culprit to the country’s rapid rise in cases over the past few weeks.
“Since January 1, 2022, more than 800 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Chippewa County,” CCHD Health Officer Karen Senkus stated in the release.
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.
As of Tuesday, community members can receive up to four home test kits when ordering online through: https://www.covidtests.gov/.
For more information on test sites and what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 please visit www.chippewahd.com
