Leelanau, Benzie Counties both break single-day COVID records
From staff reports
The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department reported 51 new COVID-19 cases in Leelanau County on Tuesday, Jan. 4. In Benzie County, 31 new cases were reported. Both represent single-day records. The previous high was set on Nov. 12 when Leelanau recorded 37 and Benzie recorded 29 cases.
Today’s record case count illustrates a dramatic spike in the Coronavirus in Michigan, which posted more than 12,000 cases, and throughout the nation, which had more than half a million new cases on Jan. 4, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spreads rapidly through the United States.
“Collectively as a community, we can resolve in 2022 to do our best to keep our children safe and experiencing in-person learning,” said Lisa Peacock, Health Department Health Officer. “We can resolve to keep our businesses – from large factories to the hometown coffee shop – prosperous and have their employees safely working. And, we can resolve to safely have family gatherings and community events throughout the year.”
These resolutions are most likely to come true, Peacock said, when we all get our COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot, take proper preventative measures and follow the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding isolation and quarantine measures.
Vaccination continues to be our most powerful tool. The health department offers convenient COVID-19 vaccination clinics for all area residents and visitors 12 and older. Parent consent is required for minors. Anyone may call the Michigan COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 if they have questions or are not able to find a time or date that works for them and/or their child. Clinics offer clients a choice of Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J’s Janssen unless otherwise noted.
