Jackson County Health Department Weekly Report for August 5, 2021

(August 5, 2021 6:45 PM)  The Jackson County Health Department has released its weekly report for August 5, 2020:

Congratulations if you have received your COVID Vaccine.  You are doing your part to stop the spread of COVID.  The vaccines have proven to be safe and effective even as the virus continues to mutate/change.  If you are choosing to wear a mask when around other people, more kudos to you.  Masks, which in addition to cutting back on the numbers of cases of COVID that we have seen, has also resulted in lower cases of influenza, less asthma and allergy issues and reductions in other respiratory ailments this past year.  In other words, the masks do work. Be respectful of others who are wearing masks as they are protecting themselves and their loved ones.

Everyone has to think about their own risks and do what they feel is best, but it is important to understand that the Centers for Disease Control and federal and state offices are monitoring the situation closely and will be making recommendations to keep everyone as safe as possible.  That may include modifying behaviors again, changing plans, and getting tested if exposed or if you have symptoms.  The main goal is to keep yourself and your family safe and healthy. You can minimize your risk of getting COVID by doing the following:

• Get a vaccine.
• Frequently wash your hands
• Wear a mask if you are in tightly enclosed places or within 6 feet of others
• Check out rates of transmission in areas you may be traveling to
• Get tested if you are exposed to COVID or if you experience symptoms (see attached Exposure Guideline)
• Stay home if you are feeling unwell (this means no visitors, no quick stops, no drive-thru, etc)

The State of Michigan published guidelines for schools reopening on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 in a press release outlining recommendations for prevention strategies to keep kids and educators healthy.  The recommendations promote vaccinations, proper mask-wearing, hygiene/handwashing etiquette, and proper ventilation just to name a few items.

According to the CDC COVID-19 Tracking System, Jackson County has a Substantial Level of transmission for COVID. The level of transmission is based on the number of total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days.  You can check the numbers for Jackson County on our webpage which is updated Monday-Friday by 12 noon.  On Mondays, a county map is uploaded to show areas where COVID cases have increased throughout the county.

A variant is a mutation in a virus.  The COVID-19 virus has many types of variants which has resulted in the CDC classifying them as: Variants of Interest (VOI), Variants of Concern (VOC), and Variants of High Consequence (VOHC). While there are no VOHC at this time there are VOI and VOC in the United States, Michigan and Jackson County.  In a recent Epidemiology report from the State of Michigan, of the sequenced specimens that were collected in the past month: 90% were Delta and 10% were Alpha. This is a strong indicator the Delta variant is prevalent throughout the state, including Jackson County.  The Delta strain has proven to be more easily transmitted, even by those who are fully vaccinated.  If vaccinated, and symptoms occur, they are usually milder in comparison, while it can be a more deadly virus for those who are infected and have not been vaccinated.

On July 28, 2021, the CDC published new guidelines/recommendations as a result of the increase of the Delta Variant in community transmission across the United States which focused primarily on vaccinated individuals.  The recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals include: 

• Wearing a mask when indoor in areas of high transmission for vaccinated individuals as well as for those in close contact with immunocompromised or people at increased risk of severe disease
• Universal masking recommendations for school staff and personnel regardless of vaccination status
• If close contact was made with someone who was positive with COVID-19 get tested 3-5 days later and wear a mask in public indoor settings after the exposure for 14 days or until receiving notice of a negative test result
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Isolating for 10 days if positive for COVID or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Following any other applicable rules that apply. (Local, State, Federal, Tribal, Regulations, etc)

You may wonder how this will affect you.  As you may have already noticed in some areas around the nation and in some businesses even within our own state, it may be required to wear a mask to enter their establishment.  To be prepared it is a good idea and practice to begin carrying a mask with you wherever you go, just in case you may have to use it.  The phrase, “Bring it, Wear it” should stick with you at all times.

The Jackson County Health Department will be working closely with school districts to assist them in developing best practices for their staff, students and guests for reopening.  It is important to remember that students aged 12 and older are eligible for a COVID vaccine and should take the opportunity to get one prior to the start of school when they will be spending a lot of time in close contact with others.  This could be extremely important for those who are planning to participate in any type of sports or other extracurricular activities such as band or chorus.  Remember students need their parent’s permission for a COVID vaccine.

The Michigan Covid Tracker is monitoring progress toward the state goal of 70% on 1st dose COVID19 vaccinations (1 shot) provided to the 16+ age group in the State of Michigan.  In Michigan, we are currently at 63.8% as of 8/3/2021 for ages 16 and up. At the National level, we are at our goal of 70.1% with at least one shot for all adults aged 18 and over and 67.7% of the population aged 12 and over. For the fully vaccinated, 60.6% of the population are 18 and over and 58.2% of the population are aged 12 and over.  It should also be noted on the National Covid Tracker page that the community transmission across the United States is High.

Vaccine Opportunities 

Vaccine opportunities in the Jackson County area and location information can be found on the VaccineFinder webpage. Minors aged 12–17 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine with parent permission.  

Homebound individuals who are interested in a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact Disability Connections at (517) 998-3084, Region 2 Area on Aging at (517) 592-1976 or the Jackson County Department on Aging at (517) 788-4364.   

Jackson County Health Department Updates  

Remember to bring your mask if you have an appointment with a nurse or technician at a clinic in the Jackson County Health Department.  The health department policy is for all employees and individuals seeking service to wear masks when in close settings such as a small office or exam room, in order to reduce any potential spread of infection regardless of vaccination status.  You will be offered a mask if you don’t have your own.  This is done in order to protect our immunocompromised clients such as children or other vulnerable populations who may be at high risk of infection.  If you still need your COVID-19 vaccine, you can come to the immunization clinic and get your vaccine of choice!  

If you are EXPERIENCING ANY UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS (COUGH, DIFFICULTY BREATHING, ETC) OR FEVER, WE ASK THAT YOU RESCHEDULE ANY APPOINTMENT YOU HAVE scheduled.  If necessary, you may want to schedule an appointment with your physician or call 911, if it becomes life-threatening.

Data  

Jackson County Health Department reports the following data as of August 3, 2021. This information is also available on the Michigan Vaccine Dashboard which is updated on Tuesday and Fridays each week by 3:00 p.m. Data now reflects the addition of the 12-15-year-olds.

**Recovered = alive 30 days after onset date (if onset date is missing, then referral date). This calculation is using the Patient Status variable to distinguish alive vs deceased.   

Additional Resources  

Jackson County Health Department Webpage 

State of Michigan Vaccination and Prioritization Strategy https://www.mistartmap.info/about 

Centers for Disease Control Vaccine Information Page 

JCHD COVID Information phone line – (517) 817-4469