COVID-19 cases steady in northern Michigan as school year approaches

GAYLORD — Cases of COVID-19 remain steady but manageable in Northern Michigan as children prepare to go back to school for the third time since the onset of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, health officials said there are still no confirmed monkeypox cases in the region and vaccine supplies for that disease are available.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only Otsego County had a high level of transmission for COVID-19 during the period ending Aug. 11. The CDC said Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa and Emmet counties in Northern Michigan have low levels of transmission.

The federal agency looks at the combination of several metrics, including the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population in the past seven days to determine the amount of COVID-19 spread within each county.

Charlevoix County had 118.6 cases per 100,000 people over the seven days prior to Aug. 14 and 3.4 percent of its hospital beds were occupied by coronavirus patients. Cheboygan County and 71.2 cases per 100,000 people and 3.4 percent of hospital beds filled with COVID-19 patients.

Chippewa County in the eastern Upper Peninsula had 133.9 cases per 100,000 people with 3.4 percent of hospital beds devoted to virus patients. Emmet County reported 62.9 cases per 100,000 and 3.4 percent of beds having COVID-19 patients.

Otsego County had 133.8 cases per 100,000 and 7.1 percent of beds filled with coronavirus patients.

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Dr. Josh Meyerson, medical director for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, which covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties, said the newer subvariants are believed to be "the predominant strain circulating. Persons with prior immunity from vaccination and/or infection with previous strains are well protected against severe disease, but are susceptible to infection, generally with mild symptoms.

"Because there are still a large number of cases, there continue to be some that require hospitalization and deaths. Those at greatest risk continue to be older individuals (over 50) and those with underlying risk factors that are not fully immunized, including booster doses," Meyerson added.

Dr. Catherine Wilkerson, medical director for the Chippewa County Health Department, said the county's most recent case count is stable at this time.

"We see cases across all age groups. Areas of particular concern include people over 70 as age has been a huge factor for severe disease throughout the pandemic. Also we're concerned about children because of low vaccination levels," Wilkerson said.

Lt. Jeremy Runstrom, Cheboygan County emergency management director, said "the most impacted age group is 18-49 years old. The latest strains of COVID-19 does not seem to have such an impact on individuals. Being fully vaccinated helps with a faster recovery time."

Meyerson said "There is concern that rates will increase in the fall as happened last year and similar to other respiratory viruses."

"I am following this issue very closely, and predictions based on data modeling have indicated a significant likelihood of a major fall wave," added Wilkerson.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said, as of Aug. 13, about 58 percent of the eligible population in the state has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In Otsego County, 54.7 percent have completed the vaccination process. In Charlevoix County, nearly 63.4 percent of residents have been vaccinated. About 55.5 percent of Cheboygan County residents are vaccinated while Chippewa County has a vaccination rate of almost 54.2 percent. About 67 percent of Emmet County residents are vaccinated

For children in Otsego County, MDHHS said, as of Aug. 10, 15.3 percent of 5-11 year-olds and 35.8 percent of 12-15 years olds have completed their vaccinations. In Charlevoix County, 24.1 percent of 5-11 year-olds and 44.3 percent of 12-15 year-olds are fully vaccinated. In Cheboygan County, the vaccination rate is 16 percent for 5-11 year-olds and 32.9 percent for 12-15 year-olds.

Chippewa County has a completed vaccination rate of 20.9 percent for 5-11 year-olds and 48.4 percent of 12-15 year-olds. In Emmet County, 31.4 percent of 5-11 year-olds and 52.6 percent of 12-15 year olds are fully vaccinated.

"As case counts increase, individuals will need to assess their own personal risk tolerance and take appropriate steps to mitigate these risks. In addition to vaccines and medications, this might include masking while at indoor crowded places, and having test kits available to test as needed," Meyerson said.

The other big health concern is monkeypox. As of Aug. 16, there were no confirmed monkeypox cases in Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet and Otsego counties.

"The risk to the general public (for monkeypox) at this time remains very low. Vaccine is available through local health departments and at this time we are offering vaccine for expanded post exposure prophylaxis to those persons who are at risk from potential exposure to monkeypox virus. The group with the largest risk at this time is men who have intimate contact with other men, especially those that have been in parts of the country or globally where there is known elevated risk," said Meyerson.

Wilkerson said "We are not aware of any cases in Chippewa County thus far. However, we know that many cases are asymptomatic or are not detected because of not recognizing it, not obtaining medical care, and missed diagnosis."

She said the Chippewa County Health Department can provide vaccinations to anyone eligible for it and the criteria for the vaccine is rapidly expanding.

"In order to receive a vaccine for monkeypox it is recommended to contact your primary care provider," said Runstrom.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: COVID-19 cases steady as school year approaches