Health Department recommends increasing COVID-19 precautions, including mask wearing, as rise in transmission risk detected in Western UP counties

This report from the Western UP Health Department (WUPHD) shows the increase in COVID-19 transmission, as well as vaccination rates, in local counties between Aug. 5 and Aug. 11, 2021. Click on image for larger version.

HANCOCK --  The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) announced on Friday, Aug. 13, a rise in COVID-19 cases and transmission over the past few weeks in the five counties WUPHD covers: Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties. According to state and local data, four out of five counties are now classified as having substantial or high transmission risk. The Delta variant continues to be detected in Houghton and Gogebic counties and has now been detected in Baraga county.

Aligning with updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), WUPHD also recommends that when the community is experiencing substantial and high transmission levels, everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a face mask in public indoor settings to help prevent spread of the Delta variant and protect others.

While vaccination continues to be the most important public health action to end the COVID-19 pandemic, the surge of the Delta variant across the U.S. prompted the CDC to issue updated recommendations for masking. These recommendations now apply to local UP counties with substantial transmission risk. Click here for details. (Image courtesy michigan.gov)

Wearing a face mask is particularly important when attending indoor public gatherings and where social distancing is not able to be maintained. Given the community transmission status change, the health department also encourages businesses, community and faith based organizations and event organizers to consider the latest public health recommendations when determining risk mitigation strategies for employees, customers, community members and events.

Vaccination is best protection

These recommendations are based on emerging science showing the Delta variant to be highly infectious and able to spread at greater rates than any other strains of COVID-19. Research shows that the COVID-19 vaccines provide protection against the Delta variant and most people who experience a breakthrough infection after being fully vaccinated report mild or no symptoms, with an extremely low risk of hospitalization and death. Past infection with COVID-19 does not assure protection from the Delta variant, so people who have had past COVID-19 infection are still strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. High vaccination coverage will not only reduce the spread of the virus, but also help prevent new, and possibly more concerning, variants from emerging.

"When providing guidance and recommendations to our community about which COVID-19 mitigation measures may need to be in place, we are taking into consideration many local factors, such as the current rate of COVID-19 transmission, our health system's capacity, vaccination coverage, testing and which populations may be at risk," said Kate Beer, Health Officer, WUPHD. "The best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19 and the Delta variant is to get vaccinated."

A layered protection strategy should be followed to ensure a healthy environment, allowing all WUPHD residents the best chance to remain healthy and physically present at work and in the classroom setting. Such strategy should include the following risk mitigation measures:

• Receive the COVID-19 vaccine, if eligible
• Wear your face mask while indoors
• Wash your hands frequently
• Maintain a distance of six feet from others
• Stay home when sick and get tested for COVID-19
• Adhere to isolation if you test positive for COVID-19 or quarantine if considered a close contact

At this time, 53 percent of WUPHD residents over the age of 12 have initiated vaccination for COVID-19. Vaccinations can be scheduled with local providers by calling your local health department office, your physician’s office, or by visiting www.coppercountrystrong.com/vaccine.

Vaccines and immunocompromised individuals

CDC now recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. (Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control)

Currently, CDC is recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:

•     Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood

•     Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

•     Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system

•     Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)

•     Advanced or untreated HIV infection

•     Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response
  

People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. 

Read CDC's Aug. 13, 2021, statement.