Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Houghton and Baraga Counties saw COVID-19 cases double in the week ending January 5th, compared to the prior period. The two combined for 187 cases. Keweenaw County jumped from one up to 14. All three jurisdictions remain well below the spike seen in the fall, which remains an outlier compared to the rest of the State of Michigan. Omicron has brought record caseloads elsewhere.
So far, the rise remains similar to the trend seen last year in the immediate aftermath of the holiday season. Snowmobile trails were finally able to open, bringing a rush of recreational visitors to the area as well. The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department did not mention omicron in its late Thursday release. The new variant is considered more transmissible, but less deadly. It was first identified in South Africa in November. Doctors there continue to say it resembles the common cold.
Deaths continue to remain low. Houghton County had one, as did Gogebic and Ontonagon. Baraga and Keweenaw Counties registered zero. The full table is below.
