Courtesy Image An illustration of the coronavirus provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ALPENA — Local public health officials on Thursday reported the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in four Alpena County residents, who have completed isolation.

The infections were identified through routine active surveillance by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service, officials with District Health Department No. 4 said in a news release.

The variant spreads more easily and is believed to be more contagious. The dramatic rise in new cases seems to be driven by greater circulation of more contagious variants as children and teens are engaging in in-person activities like sports, parties, and classes.

Health officials said cases are rising among all age groups, but one of the largest numbers of new COVID-19 cases is among children ages 10 to 19, the first time that’s happened since the start of the pandemic.

“We are asking everyone to do their part to curb the spike of COVID-19 cases in our community, Devin Spivey, community health director and epidemiologist with District Health Department No. 4, said in a news release. “We are all feeling the COVID-19 fatigue, but we must charge forward with our tried-and-true mitigation measures — washing our hands, wearing a mask covering our mouth and nose, and staying six feet away from others in tight spaces — they work. And, most importantly, get vaccinated as soon as you are able.”

Meanwhile public health officials reported 43 newly infected or probably infected Northeast Michiganders, including 23 Alpena County residents, six Presque Isle County residents, four Montmorency County residents, and 10 Alcona County residents.

As of Feb. 18, local public health agencies have reported confirmed and suspected infections as one number.

Based on that data, 3,523 Northeast Michiganders have been confirmed or suspected infected since the pandemic hit Michigan in mid-March. Of those, 108 have died.

State data showed that, as of Wednesday, 40,289 doses of coronavirus vaccine had been administered in Northeast Michigan.

As of Thursday, 10 people were hospitalized at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena with coronavirus infection, including two in intensive care, according to state data. The hospital was 51% full.

As of Thursday, 127 people were hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection across the state-designated, 18-county health care region that includes Alpena, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties, according to state data.

The last death was reported Monday.

Local public health officials have stopped tracking recoveries.