BATTLE CREEK, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – Calhoun County went over 10,000 COVID-19 positive cases this week as hospitalizations from the virus have almost tripled when compared to two months ago.
As of Thursday morning, the county reported 10,143 cases since the pandemic began just over a year ago. That number includes 377 new cases in the last week.
There have been 232 Calhoun County residents who have died after testing positive for the virus including four so far in April.
Calhoun County Medical Director Dr. William Nettleton said the variant B.1.1.7 is likely the reason for the recent increase in cases.
Hospitalizations have skyrocketed in recent weeks. After being in single digits during February, the number of Calhoun County COVID-19 hospital patients was up to 35.
There have been 423 hospitalizations of Calhoun County COVID-19 patients in the last year.
Most of the new Calhoun County cases over the last two months have involved people 39 and younger with 21 percent more cases for those 19 and under.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Calhoun County Public Health Department have put the 14-day quarantine period back in place for anyone who has been exposed to a person with the virus if they were within six feet of that person for at least 15 minutes.
But, fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine if they come into close contact with anyone who tests positive.
