COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Health Officer Rebecca Burns says she is very concerned about two positive cases of the highly contagious B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant that have been reported in Branch County.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports those two cases of the so-called Delta variant are among 22 reported in the state with half of the cases involving out of state residents.
Besides Branch County, the variant has been reported in Wayne, Oakland, Lapeer and Livingston Counties.
Health officials are worried the variant will spread in areas where vaccination rates are low. Only about 43 percent of Branch County residents 16 and older have gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine which is far behind the state percentage rate of just over 60 percent.
During Thursday’s Branch County Board of Commissioners work session, Burns urged non-vaccinated persons to re-evaluate their decision.
She says there is plenty of COVID-19 vaccine available in Branch County.
The Community Health Agency also reported on Thursday there has been a case of the Kappa B.1.617.1 variant. The Delta variant has been classified by the CDC as a variant of concern while the Kappa variant is classified as a variant of interest.
CNBC reports the Delta variant was first detected in India and has spread to over 80 countries. World Health Organization officials said on Wednesday it continues to mutate as it spreads across the world.
Meanwhile, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency will offer COVID-19 vaccines this Saturday at Coldwater’s Strawberry Fest from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. There is no appointment needed, just walk up to the tent, sign the paperwork, and show your arm.
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