Monroe County COVID cases continue to rise

Oct. 1—Local COVID-19 cases are continuing to see an increase, mirroring previous spikes observed earlier this year and last fall.

There have been 502 additional cases of COVID-19 recorded in the last seven days in Monroe County, according to data marked Wednesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That's a 15.4% increase compared to a previous seven-day period, reflecting a rising trend that has been occurring locally. Since July, instances of the virus have steadily increased.

The trend mirrors periods of time late last year and in March through April in which spikes were recorded.

About 2,735 tests were performed last week, according to CDC data. The positivity rate from that week was 11.55%, a slight increase of 1.17% to prior week.

Every county in Michigan has been designated as having high transmission of the virus, according the standards outlined by the CDC.

Rising rates in the state and nationally have been met with continued calls for testing, mitigation efforts and vaccination from the health agencies, such as the CDC and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Earlier this week, MDHHS released guidance urging vaccinated residents deemed as high risk to receive a COVID-19 immunization booster shot.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS, said the vaccine has been instrumental in protecting Michigan residents from contracting the virus or lessening the impact of breakthrough infections.

"With the Delta variant circulating and cases of COVID-19 increasing, CDC and the FDA have determined that a booster dose is needed for some individuals to maintain and increase that level of protection," Khaldun, who recently announced her impending departures from MDHHS, said. "We urge all eligible Michiganders to get their booster dose six months after their second dose to help protect against COVID-19."

MDHHS advises those age 65 or older; those living in long-term care settings and those 50 or older with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster immunization.

MDHSS also issued guidance for those who may want a booster immunization, saying those who meet certain criteria can pursue receiving one if they so choose.

That criteria includes: those age 18 or older who are at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 due to occupational or institutional setting, and those with underlying health conditions.

The CDC has released a designated occupation list for such criteria, including first responders, education staff, food and agriculture workers, manufacturing workers. corrections workers, postal service workers, public transit workers and grocery store workers.

The CDC has indicated it may update that occupation list in the future.

The statewide completed vaccination rate is 57.7% as of Thursday morning, according to MDHSS data. That number applies to individuals age 12 or older.

In Monroe County, the completed vaccination rate is about 45.1%. Historical data provided by MDHSS shows little changed in overall vaccination rate in Monroe County in recent months. The local rate surpassed 40% in June, and has seen marginal increases weekly since then.

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