COVID-19 update

The Western UP Health Department updated COVID-19 activity levels across its five-county district Thursday. The release covers new numbers for an entire week dating back to January 21st. Adjusting for that fact shows mostly positive trends again locally. The net number of cases continues to ease downwards led by improving data from Baraga County, which saw just two cases and eight recoveries. Keweenaw County had six cases offset by five recoveries and Houghton registered 70 new positives, but also 66 recoveries. Combining those numbers, there were 78 new cases, which is less than the 79 recoveries noted.

Michigan Tech hosted its most recent COVID-19 town hall Thursday night. Pete Berry from the Western UP Health Department said that it felt great to “go on offense” against the virus in the form of vaccine distributions. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines provide challenges from a logistical standpoint. Robin Meneguzzo is in charge of coordinating the effort and talked about the difficulties.

The COVID-19 update is here.

WUPHD Health Officer Kate Beer says in a press release that vaccine distribution will be slow for at least the next couple weeks due to limited supply. Inventories for the second dose of vaccine remain more normal. “We have started administering second doses of the vaccine that were received from the state this week. Some first doses were received, but they have already been scheduled out as we continue to work through the Phase 1B priority groups.”