12-14% in Benzie-Leelanau receive first vaccine dose— surpassing 10% tally statewide, nationwide
Region’s COVID positivity rate dips below 4%, but variant appears in Northern Michigan
From staff reports
Lisa Peacock, health officer with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, offered the following statement on Thursday, February 11, during a weekly COVID-19 media briefing:
“This week, all of the pandemic risk indicators continue to trend downward. Positivity is under 4% and cases/million/day are below 100 in the Traverse City region. This is great news and cause for cautious optimism. There is no doubt about one point upon which everyone can agree and that is the end of the pandemic can’t come soon enough!”
” However, this welcome news is accompanied by other facts that remind us we must continue to be vigilant. This week, the first case of the B.1.1.7 or UK variant was discovered in northern Michigan. This variant is considered to be 50% more transmissible — meaning each person who is infected with the virus is likely to infect 3-4 other people versus 1-2 as with the prevalent variant.”
“This is not cause for panic or fear. The good news is that it appears that both the available vaccines and treatments are effective against this variant of the COVID-19 virus as well. However, because it can spread more easily, it makes our tried and true mitigation measures even more important. The goal is to take away the opportunities the virus has to spread: if we are not in close contact, are wearing our masks, and those who are sick or exposed are staying at home, we are more likely effectively reduce the opportunities this stronger version of the virus will have. Testing is widely available across the region and is critical for those with symptoms or potential exposures so that they can be quickly isolated and their contacts quarantined if positive.”
“’Herd immunity’ is a term we have heard often throughout the pandemic. In epidemiology, it is used to describe the resistance of a population to a disease due to the collective level of immunity and is most often used when referring to vaccination coverage. Dr. Meyerson has recently reminded us that once a large portion of our population is vaccinated (estimated to be 70%) and immune, then we will see COVID-19 disease be greatly reduced with outbreaks much smaller and more manageable, without the need for large scale and prolonged public health interventions. We all look forward to this day! A safe and effective vaccine is the key tool needed to achieve the necessary level of protection and the good news is that two have arrived and more are on the way! The challenge is many more people want and need the vaccine than are currently able to get it due to limited and unpredictable availability of doses. Health departments, hospitals, pharmacies, tribal health centers, and provider offices are all working to create multiple access points across the community so that eventually everyone who wants a vaccination will be able to get one!”
“We are working hard this week to continue improving communication to the public about the progress of the vaccine rollout. These improvements will come in the form of updated dashboards, fliers, and automated messaging. We understand that information is important and reassuring for those in our communities patiently awaiting their turn and we want everyone to know we will do our best to keep them informed.”
“Both the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department are making good and steady progress, giving 90% or more of all first doses received within 7 days. Without amazing community partners none of this would be possible. We extend our deepest thanks to our hospital systems, provider offices, and the Michigan National Guard for helping us to stretch our capacity. We thank our faith communities, counties and municipalities for the generous use of their facilities, as well as the work of their staff including Emergency Management, law enforcement, EMS, and Commission on Aging departments as well as the many agency and individual volunteers who have stepped up to help our communities get vaccinated!”
“By the end of this week, the Health Department of Northwest will have administered over 11,000 doses and the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department will have administered over 3,700 doses. In the first 7 weeks, 12-14% of all residents in both health department jurisdictions have been vaccinated with their first dose, which surpasses the overall state which stands at nearly 10%. This means northern Michigan is doing well despite the many challenges of this process! There are many who still need the vaccine and each week we intend to give what we get until everyone is covered. Please stay strong and stay safe, your turn is coming soon!”
