COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Health Officer Rebecca Burns reported to the Agency’s Board of Health on Thursday that all three counties remain at a high risk factor for the spread of COVID-19.
The recent surge of COVID-19 cases has been attributed to the omicron variant.
The Community Health Agency reported 74 new Branch County cases on Wednesday which brought the total amount of COVID-19 cases in Branch County since March of 2020 up to 9,141 with a total of 150 deaths being attributed to the virus.
As of Tuesday, the State of Michigan reported the seven day positive rate in Branch County was at 39-point-8 percent while weekly cases per 100,000 for the week of January 19 through 25 stood at 1,781 which is way up from the 225 cases reported in the same category on Christmas Day.
Burns reported the positivity rate is considered under reported due to individuals choosing not to test or administering home tests and not reporting results.
According to Burns, there were at least 12 deaths in Branch County during the month of December that were attributed to COVID infection while there were at least 15 deaths in both Hillsdale and Saint Joseph Counties.
Her report went on to say that local Superintendents are saying a large number of staff and students were positive for COVID.
Some schools have adopted the updated K-12 guidance which allows for a student or staff member to leave isolation after five days followed by a five day period of wearing a well-fitting mask when symptoms have improved and they are fever free. Others are choosing to stay with the 10-day isolation.
Comments