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COVID-19 infections skyrocket again

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

ALPENA — After plummeting last week, the number of Northeast Michiganders actively infected with COVID-19 has skyrocketed following the arrival of the omicron variant of the coronavirus in Alpena County.

As of today, 525 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected with COVID-19, while about 58% of Northeast Michiganders 5 and older had been fully vaccinated against the disease.

This week’s active infections — a News estimate based on cumulative infections minus deaths and those who fit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of recovered — is up from 165 active infections last week. An estimated 495 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected on the day before New Year’s Eve.

Local public health officials announced Northeast Michigan’s first confirmed case of the highly contagious omicron variant on Jan. 7.

Meanwhile, among those 5 and older, the state says 56% of Alpena County residents, 61% of Presque Isle County residents, 55% of Montmorency County residents, and 58% of Alcona County residents have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The chart below shows the number of Northeast Michiganders actively infected with COVID-19, a News estimate based on cumulative infections minus recoveries and deaths. The story continues below the graphic.

Public health experts have said we could consider the coronavirus pandemic over once 70% of the population has been vaccinated.

In the past week, public health officials have reported 275 newly infected or probably infected Northeast Michiganders and the deaths of four Northeast Michiganders who had been infected with COVID-19. Data for Alcona County is as of Wednesday, while other counties is as of today.

The chart below shows the number of Northeast Michiganders 5 and older fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The story continues below the graphic.

Since February, Northeast Michigan health officials have reported confirmed and probable infections as one number. A person counts as a probable infection if they’d been exposed to a confirmed infected person and are showing symptoms but hadn’t been tested, themselves — such as family members of infected people.

The chart below shows the number of COVID-19 patients admitted at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena. The story continues below the graphic.

As of Monday, 11 COVID-19 patients were admitted at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, none of them in intensive care. The hospital was 94% full.

State officials watch hospital occupancy rates closely to decide whether to impose new restrictions meant to slow the spread of infection.

Since the pandemic’s start in mid-March 2020, public health officials have reported 9,549 Northeast Michiganders infected or probably infected, and 248 related deaths.

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