MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – The Marquette County Health Department (MCHD) says more cases of the COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant have been confirmed by genetic sequencing from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
“This new evidence confirms that widespread transmission from the community is likely,” said the MCHD in a statement.
The health department says that variant B.1.1.7 is a concern due to:
- 50% increase in transmission
- Severity probably increased based on hospitalizations and fatality rates
- Minimal impact on neutralization by antibody therapies
The health department also said that current vaccines are still effective against this variant.
“Since mid-February, rates of COVID-19 infection in Marquette County have increased by 151% compared to the average case rate of two weeks ago,” said the MCHD. “There is a high possibility that Marquette County is entering a new and accelerating wave of increased COVID-19 infection.”
To better protect you, your family and the community, MCHD recommends:
- Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible
- Continue to wear face masks properly, distance yourself socially and do proper hand hygiene
- Stay at home and isolate yourself if you have symptoms of COVID
- Get tested, no matter how minimal the symptoms, if you have ever had COVID and / or been vaccinated
- Notifying the health department and any known contacts nearby
- If you are a close contact, follow the quarantine guidelines, says the MCHD.
The vaccine registration is now available to anyone over the age of 16. Those interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine can register at mqthealth.org.
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