Jackson County Health Department Weekly Update for June 25, 2021

(June 25, 2021 2:31 PM) The Jackson County Health Department has released its weekly report:

On Tuesday, June 22, 2021, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the Rescission of Emergency Orders, which made many of the previous Emergency Orders obsolete. These previous orders dealt with issues such as gatherings, wearing of facemasks, temporary restrictions on entry into nursing homes, youth centers and other congregate care facilities, mandatory testing, safe housing for homeless and even the handling of bodily remains.

The latest mask wearing guidelines issued on June 22, 2021, indicate that there is no longer be a statewide requirement to wear a facemask in most settings. However, local health departments, health care settings, establishments, sports organizers, and school districts may designate rules recommending the wearing of facemasks for their staff and audience/clients based on their specific circumstances and needs.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is recommending that in locations where there is an outbreak, that everyone regardless of their vaccine status wear a mask. It is also recommended that unvaccinated persons continue to wear a mask whenever they are:

In outdoor crowded settings or events
When participating in contact sports,
In residential care facilities or
In indoor or outdoor congregate settings such as jails, prisons, migrant worker housing, homeless shelters, etc.

Also, the CDC still requires the wearing of facemasks for everyone regardless of vaccine status on all forms of public transportation such as taxis, buses, trains, airplanes including inside terminals or hubs such as airports, train and bus stations. Healthcare facilities should continue to follow the CDC guidance for Healthcare Centers in the wearing of masks.

The Michigan Covid Tracker is monitoring progress toward the state goal of 70% on 1st dose COVID-19 vaccinations (1 shot) provided to the 16+ age group in the State of Michigan. In Michigan, we are currently at61.3% as of 6/24/2021 for ages 16 and up. At the National level, we are at 65.7% with at least one shot for all adults aged 18 and over. The National Tracker is the monitoring system for the CDC. The CDC monitors COVID vaccines down to the age of 12, and when added into the overall number, the vaccine rate drops down to 62.8% with one shot. In the population ≥ 65 Years of Age, 87.5% have received at least one shot and 77.4% are fully vaccinated which means this is the only age group to have reached the national goal of 70%.

Vaccine Opportunities

The Jackson County Health Department will be at the following location for upcoming clinics:

Jackson Area Transit Authority on July 2^nd at the JATA Transfer Center located at 2350 E High St, Jackson MI from 10 am – 2 pm.

Other vaccine opportunities in the Jackson County area and location information can be found on theVaccineFinder 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

The Jackson County Health Department doors are now open for business. Individuals may be asked to wear a mask if they are visiting a clinic area where they will be in close contact with staff members. 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.

Most clinics/services require an appointment. If you need a service at the health department, please call the specific department ahead of time to find out if an appointment is needed. Check the Health Department Programs and Services information below on how to reach the program or service you seek, or call (517) 788-4420 and listen for the program options.

Data

Jackson County Health Department reports the following data as of June 24, 2021. This information is also available on the Michigan Vaccine Dashboard which is updated daily (M-F) by 3:00 p.m. Data now reflects the addition of the 12-15 year olds.

The COVID-19 variants continue to circulate in our community. There is evidence that the B.1.1.7 is still the most prevalent COVID-19 strain spreading in Michigan.