News Photo by Crystal Nelson MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena receptionist Darbi Dolliver grabs a face mask to hand out to hospital patients or visitors that do not have one.

ALPENA — While many health systems have mandated employees receive the COVID-19 vaccination, MidMichigan Health will not be doing so at this time.

“As of today, more than 66 percent of MidMichigan Health’s workforce has been vaccinated,” MidMichigan Health Public Relations Manager Millie Jezior said. “We are currently not planning on mandating the COVID-19 vaccine for our employees; however, we are continuing to monitor developments by the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention and what is occurring locally and across our state.”

The Michigan Nurses Association was not immediately available for comment.

The decision comes at a time when COVID-19 cases are increasing throughout the state and Northeast Michigan.

Many Michigan hospitals and health systems announced last week they would require employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, including Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health, Ascension Health, Trinity Health, and Henry Ford Health System.

The State Health Department reported on Tuesday there were three COVID-19 patients at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, none of whom were in the intensive care unit. The hospital was at 42% occupancy.

District Health Departments No. 2 and No. 4 announced last week an Alpena County resident had tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19.

As of Monday, local public health officials reported 11 new Northeast Michigan residents confirmed infected or probable cases since Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday listed Alpena and Montmorency counties as a high risk for transmission of COVID-19.

The CDC recommends people in high- and substantial-risk areas of transmission wear masks while indoors, no matter the person’s vaccination status.

The guidance also recommends individuals in K-12 schools wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. The recommendation applies to students, teachers, staff, and visitors.