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

ALPENA — The number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases continues to increase in Northeast Michigan, local public health officials said today.

District Health Department No. 4 officials said in a news release today 80 new COVID-19 cases were reported for Alpena, Montmorency, Presque Isle, and Cheboygan county residents. Fifty of those cases were in Alpena County.

District Health Department No. 2 on Monday reported 11 Alcona County residents infected with the disease since Friday.

“I think we can safely assume that the Delta variant is spreading quickly in Alpena and surrounding areas, and is the predominant strain,” DHD No. 4 Medical Director Joshua Meyerson said. “Vaccination is more important than ever. The COVID-19 vaccines show effectiveness against variants and reduce the risk of serious illness that may lead to hospitalization or death.”

DHD No. 4 officials continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and heed national and state recommendations, including wearing a mask in indoor public spaces in areas of high or substantial transmission, regardless of vaccination status.

Alpena and Montmorency counties are considered areas of high transmission, according to DHD No. 4 officials, and Presque Isle County is considered a substantial area of transmission. Alcona County is also a substantial area of transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health Department officials are also encouraging schools and businesses to consider the latest public health recommendations when determining risk mitigation strategies for employees and clients within buildings.

Those strategies include:

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

* Wearing a mask around others in crowded indoor or outdoor areas, especially in counties with substantial and high community transmission.

* Staying six feet apart from others.

* Washing hands often.

* Staying home when you feel ill. Get tested if you have symptoms.

Ventilating indoor spaces.