WVBI COVID-19 Update for February 3, 2021

Health Department of Northwest Michigan conducted their third island vaccination clinic yesterday—this time at the school.  That worked a lot more smoothly than the clinic at the Health Center a few weeks ago because there was room for people to come inside to wait rather than having to stay in their cars. 75 people got the jab yesterday. Combined with those vaccinated at prior clinics, that brings the total on the island to just over 250 people—approaching almost half the official population.  Most still need to get their second shot. 155 will do that at another clinic on the 17^th, That will bring the number of people who are fully vaccinated to 180.  The high vaccination rates on the island are the result of a lot of hard work from the health department and island volunteers—and driven by the high percentage of older residents along with a high percentage of younger residents who are essential workers.

 

The Michigan Reconnect program goes live today.  It’s the result of bipartisan legislation setting aside 30-million-dollars to cover tuition at Community Colleges for students 25 or older without a college degree. You need to have a high school diploma and have been a resident of Michigan for a year to be eligible. Because Charlevoix County doesn’t have a local community college, the assistance is for the applicable in-district tuition of where you choose to go.  That’s a gap of $85 per credit at North Central that can probably be narrowed with other financial aid—or by moving to Emmet County for school. Information on how to apply is in today’s script online: https://www.michigan.gov/reconnect/0,9968,7-417-102946—,00.html

 

Let Them Play filed a lawsuit yesterday aimed at lifting the current ban on high school sports. They say that while they understand efforts to fight COVID-19, the data and science don’t support the ban on high school sports.  Michigan is one of only two states with such a ban now in place. The complaint alleges violations of the state and federal constitution and also claims that the Health Department failed to follow the rules in implementing the ban.

 

We have another day of better news on the COVID-19 data front.  Yesterday’s report had 1,203 new cases and 27 deaths a day for the state.  There were also 36 reclassified deaths. Seven day average for new cases ticked down a bit to 1,182. For deaths the average is 38 a day—that number still being driven up by reclassifications nevertheless down again. In the eight-county region we’ve followed from the start, there were 16 new cases and three deaths. Charlevoix had five new cases. The deaths were in Grand Traverse. Seven day running averages for our region are 26 new cases a day and one death.

 

Statewide there are now 65,383 active cases—down again this time by about 8,000.  Our region has 1,462—down by 200. 

 

Average positivity rates also continue to look good. Statewide is down a half point to 5.1%.  It’s 5.6% in our safe start zone—down a tenth. The rate in Charlevoix county is up four tenths to 2.1%. The C-D-C target is 3%.  New case per million rates continue on a steady slope down—now for almost a month for the state, our zone and Charlevoix County. And, statewide and safe start zone hospital overall occupancy rates continue to look good—essentially normal.  6% of available beds are occupied with COVID-19 patients. For I-C-U beds, COVID occupancy is 10.3%.  There are no COVID-19 patients at Munson in Charlevoix and three at McLaren in Petoskey—all in their I-C-U.

 

On the island, no new tests.  No tests pending. No new positives since December 7^th.

Complete data for our region plus summaries for the state, the T-C safe start zone and the U-P are in today’s script online.

 

 

Data from February 2, 2021, 2021