BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic led to a lot of frustration in 2021 after the year started with optimism when vaccines to fight the virus started to roll out.
It looked like in June things were finally getting back to normal as mask mandates and other COVID-19 protocols placed in effect during the outbreak of the pandemic were eased.
However, the arrival of the delta variant during the summer months led to increased case numbers and hospitalizations.
By the end of the year, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency reported over 7,500 Branch County residents had tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020 and that at least 132 persons had lost their lives because of the virus.
Health Officer Rebecca Burns rescinded a quarantine order she issued on September 30 after the budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer included Senate Bill 68 that would take funding away from local health departments that issue an emergency COVID-19 order.
The Community Health Agency said they faced a loss of approximately $1 million in state budget funding if the order was not lifted.
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