April 12 COVID Update

Update #2: WUPHD Press release:

Health Department (WUPHD) is pausing all use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19
vaccine. The FDA and CDC have recommended this pause, and the Michigan Department of
Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed it. The WUPHD is stopping all use of the
Johnson & Johnson vaccine until more is known. There is no impact on the use of the Pfizer or
Moderna vaccines.

For today, the scheduled vaccine clinic at the WUPHD in Gogebic County will operate and will
offer the Moderna vaccine. The scheduled homebound visits for today in Houghton County are
postponed. The vaccination clinic scheduled for Thursday at Michigan Tech’s Student
Development Center Complex (SDC) will operate and will offer the Moderna vaccine. Individuals
with appointments will be contacted and offered the Moderna vaccine or be rescheduled as
soon as possible.

“We are stopping all use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until we have more information on
the few incidents of concern and clear recommendations on future use,” says Robert Van Howe,
MD, MS, FAAP, medical director with the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department
(WUPHD). “This does not change the fact that COVID-19 vaccination overall is safe and effective.
Millions have been vaccinated.”

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is scheduled to meet Wednesday.
Pending the Committee recommendation, all scheduled Johnson & Johnson clinics are tentative.
In addition, all current scheduling for vaccine appointments with the WUPHD is paused while
staff assess supplies and contact those scheduled today.

The risk of the side effect for people who got the vaccine more than a month ago is very low.
People that received the vaccine within the last few weeks should be aware of any symptoms. If
you have received the vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or
shortness of breath, you should contact your healthcare provider and seek medical treatment.
This side effect has not been seen in the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. People who are scheduled
to receive either of these vaccines should continue with their appointments.

Residents can visit https://coppercountrystrong.com/vaccine to locate a vaccine provider in
their area. Those without computer access should call 211 or their healthcare provider for
assistance in scheduling an appointment.

For more information on COVID-19 please visit wuphd.org, michigan.gov/coronavirus, or
cdc.gov/coronavirus.

#1: Copper Country ISD Superintendent George Stockero sends along an update on the mass testing results. “I can report that 135 people came in for a test and 16 people tested positive on the Rapid Test (12%).  Of the 16 people who tested positive on the Rapid Test, 9 returned for the PCR tests.  Those results will be sent to the individuals within a few days.”

Original story: The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department released the latest COVID-19 numbers Tuesday morning. Houghton, Keweenaw, and Baraga Counties had 38 combined cases. Keweenaw Report will closely monitor future data for potential changes. Keweenaw County registered six new cases, which could be an error. If unchanged, it would mark the most COVID-19 activity for the northern end of the peninsula in months.

The mass testing event on Saturday at Houghton High School had over 130 people get examined. There is no word yet on results, and how big of a factor it is in the overall numbers. Vaccinations continue to jump as Houghton County hits 24.44 percent. That progress could be halted temporarily, given the pause instituted on the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine by federal officials. Tuesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration agreed to halt its use immediately.

• TOTAL: 47 more positives, 0 more probable positives, 30 more recoveries, 0 deaths and 26.35% fully vaccinated (up from 25.40% — meaning 535 more people)
• BARAGA COUNTY: 1 more positive, 3 more recoveries and 25.10% fully vaccinated (up from 24.61%)
• GOGEBIC COUNTY: 7 more positives, 4 more recoveries, and 27.31% fully vaccinated (up from 26.77%)
• HOUGHTON COUNTY: 31 more positives, 18 more recoveries, and 24.44% fully vaccinated (up from 23.23%)
• KEWEENAW COUNTY: 6 more positives and 33.54% fully vaccinated (up from 30.22%)
• ONTONAGON COUNTY: 2 more positives and 34.23% fully vaccinated (down from 34.52% because of additional population added to total population over 16)

The full results here.