HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Allegan County Health officials announced at least three residents have been diagnosed with the delta variant (B.1.617.2) of COVID-19.
All three people are over 60 years old and are fully vaccinated. One person reported a recent out-of-state trip.
In the county’s statement emailed to media on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, officials noted “a small percentage of COVID-19 positive test samples are sent on for genetic sequencing to identify any variant strains. Therefore, it is likely there are more unidentified cases of the delta variant in Allegan County.”
“Vaccination is more important than ever,” said Richard Tooker Allegan County’s medical director. “The COVID-19 vaccines show effectiveness against variants and reduce the risk of serious illness that lead to hospitalization or death.”
Health officials in Ottawa, Muskegon, and Kent counties have previously announced finding some instances of people with the delta variant, which is a more-aggressive form of COVID-19.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ranked all U.S. counties, based on how transmissible the virus is. Recently, Allegan, Ottawa, Muskegon and Kent have been elevated to the moderate-risk category. Branch County is ranked as high-risk with 114.90 people per 100,000 having been diagnosed with some form of the coronavirus. Allegan is at 27.1 and Ottawa is at 21.25 per 100,000.
Health officials strongly encourage people to:
- Get the COVID-19 vaccine
- Wear a mask around others in crowded indoor or outdoor areas
- Stay six feet apart from others
- Wash hands often
- Stay home when ill; get tested if you have symptoms
- Ventilate indoor spaces
COVID-19 vaccines are free and offered by all Michigan counties. To find the nearest vaccine clinic visit the following websites:
Allegan: allegancounty.org/covid
Ottawa: miottawa.org/Health/OCHD/coronavirus.htm Ottawa County has set up free testing, no appointments needed, from 2 to 7 p.m., August 3, 10, 17 and 31, at Coopersville United Methodist Church, 105 68th Ave. North in Coopersville.
Muskegon: co.muskegon.mi.us/1611/Coronavirus
Kent: accesskent.com/Health/covid-19-data.htm
Or visit vaccines.gov
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