LANSING MI (WKZO AM/FM) – According to the state Health and Human Services Department, the Kalamazoo region which includes Branch County is the hotspot for COVID-19 in Michigan.
Statistics show that the nine county area that makes up the Kalamazoo region has the highest test positivity rate, and the second highest case rate, trailing only the Upper Peninsula.
The region is made up of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren Counties
Officials state there is not one specific reason for the high case rate, indicating that low vaccination rates and non-compliance with public safety recommendations are contributing factors.
The most troubling factor in the area’s designation is the increasing amount of hospitalizations for the virus, which department experts say will increase dramatically over the next few weeks.
(Jim McKinney contributed to this report)
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