High COVID-19 transmission continues in 2022

By ZACHARY MARANO

zmarano@yourdailyglobe.com

HOUGHTON — There is still no end in sight for the coronavirus pandemic in 2022 as COVID-19 case rates have more than doubled in Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties since the last update in December, according to an update from the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department on Thursday.

The update says that cases rates are 506 per 100,000 population in Baraga County, 392 in Gogebic, 390 in Houghton, 637 in Keweenaw and 254 in Ontonagon, for a total of 401 across the western Upper Peninsula. As of Dec. 29, the case rates were 253 per 100,000 population in Baraga County, 221 in Gogebic, 166 in Houghton, 46 in Keweenaw and 238 in Ontonagon, for a total of 192.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers a case rate of 0-9 per 100,000 population to be a low risk of transmission, 10-49 to be a moderate risk, 50-99 to be a substantial risk and 100 or more to be a high risk.

According to the seven-day case count on Thursday, there were 44 new COVID-19 cases in Baraga County, 62 new cases and one death in Gogebic, 143 new cases and one death in Houghton, 14 new cases in Keweenaw and 16 new cases and one death in Ontonagon, for a total of 279 new cases and three deaths in the five counties.

The WUPHD changed its guidelines on COVID-19 isolation and quarantine periods to align with CDC protocols. If an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the new isolation guidelines are to isolate for five days regardless of vaccination status. If they no longer have symptoms after five days, a person may leave isolation but should continue to wear a mask for an additional five days.

“The CDC says that science now shows the majority of COVID-19 transmission happens early in the illness, generally in the first one to two days before symptoms start and the two to three days thereafter. Therefore, effective immediately, the new guidance shortens the isolation and quarantine periods under certain scenarios,” according to the Thursday update.

The Iron County COVID-19 update on Wednesday says that there have been 35 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and five new probable cases in Iron County since Dec. 16.