Holidays hitting as COVID-19 cases peak to near 2020 high in Michigan
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — COVID-19 is spreading out of control in the state of Michigan as holidays were around the corner.
Michigan is second to Minnesota for the highest number of new infections, but the virus is spreading faster in Michigan than anywhere in the country. Health experts are encouraging more shots in unvaccinated arms.
“We need your help, community we need your help,” said Dr. William Nettleton, medical director for the Calhoun County Public Health Department and the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department.
- COVID-19: Find the latest news on the pandemic by visiting the coronavirus page
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s latest COVID-19 data showed Michigan’s infection rate has tripled the national average.
“It’s really here where we got to worry about,” said Eric Pessell, Calhoun County Health Officer.
Michigan's seven-day case average peaked at 7,360 per day on Nov. 21, 2020. Nearly a year later, the seven-day average is almost identical at 7,353 cases per day.
- 2020: Michigan reported more COVID-19 cases in November 2020 than every other month combined
“We are entering holidays, we’re seeing cases now that are some of the highest, we’ve seen during the pandemic, our hospitalizations are going up,” said Nettleton.
“There’s going to be more unvaccinated people gathering with each other,” said Pessell.
COVID-19 vaccines started in December. They were opened up to everyone age 16 and older in April.
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Michigan just reached the state's goal of 70% vaccination for that group this week, but now there's a new hurdle.
“There’s an entire population of younger folks less than 16 who are just now becoming eligible if you’re above the age of five,” said Nettleton.
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Dr. Nigel Paneth, a University Distinguished Professor, Emeritus for the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development at Michigan State University, said masks and vaccines will end the pandemic.
“We have the tools to put this epidemic to rest, but we're not using them,” Paneth said.
He said vaccines are our most valuable tool and not using them is killing dozens in our state every day.
“It's right in front of your face the devastation caused by this disease,” he said.
Michigan health department data showed more than 5 million people in Michigan are fully vaccinated, about 78,000, 1.5 % have still tested positive for COVID-19.
Doctors said they always expected breakthrough cases like these because no vaccine is 100% effective, but the data shows vaccines protect people from the virus.
About 88% of hospitalizations and deaths since Jan. 5 involved people who are not fully vaccinated.
