COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Health Officer Rebecca Burns says the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases over the past week in the tri-county area is a “call to action” for all residents to prevent further spread.
The Community Health Agency reports a total of 106 new positive cases between Wednesday, July 21st through this past Tuesday, July 27th.
Branch County is seeing the largest increase with 76 new positive cases during that time period; Hillsdale County had 17 new cases while St. Joseph County had 13 new cases.
As a result of this increase, the Centers for Disease Control lists Branch County as High risk for Community Transmission, the highest risk factor category used by the C.D.C.. Hillsdale County is currently listed as Substantial risk while St. Joseph County maintains in the category of Moderate risk.
Five northeast Indiana counties are in the same category as Branch County. They are Steuben, DeKalb, Noble, Allen and Whitley Counties.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency says to prevent further spread of COVID-19, they are recommending all tri-county residents wear a mask when indoors in a public location. This is in line with a recommendation earlier this week by the CDC “to reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others”. Burns says, “At this time with the increase in positive cases it is more important than ever for all tri-county residents to continue to practice the mitigation factors that we know work to minimize transmission of COVID; wearing a mask while indoors, staying home when sick, practicing good personal hygiene, and disinfecting high touch areas.
The Community Health Agency is also recommending residents 12 years of age and older get the COVID-19 Vaccination if they have not done so yet. Frustrated health officials point out vaccination rates in the tri-county area continue to be low. So far, 43-point-5 percent of Branch County residents have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine are rates in the other counties they serve are at 39-point-4 percent in Hillsdale County and 44-point-9 percent in St. Joseph County. By comparison, over 63 percent of Michigan residents 16 and over have gotten at least one COVID-19 shot according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Medical Director Doctor Lauren Vogel says, “The low vaccination rate in the tri-county area leaves many residents unprotected and at risk for contracting COVID. In order to keep our rural economy healthy, keep school children in school, and prevent more COVID cases, it is important for more residents to get vaccinated.”
They are also recommending you get tested if you have COVID symptoms or have been exposed. The Community Health Agency also stated in a news release that residents get the facts and dispel the myths about the virus and the vaccinations. Burns stated, “There is a tremendous amount of misinformation circulating on social media and person to person about COVID and COVID vaccines. When fact checking something you have read or heard, make sure to verify the source of the information. Reliable sources include the CDC, MDHHS, your Local Health Department, and your physician. If you have questions, please contact us at the local health department and ask for one of our nursing staff, or talk with your physician.”
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