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

ALPENA – The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Alpena, District Health Department No. 4 announced in a press release Thursday.

The press release says the health department was notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services of an unvaccinated male in his 20s identified as infected with the omicron variant, also known as B.1.1.529.

According to the MDHHS notification sent to district health, “MDHHS is no longer providing routine notification of omicron variants as we now anticipate a rapid replacement of the delta variant by omicron. Nevertheless, this is the first official detection of the omicron within the DHD4 jurisdiction and Region 7.”

The omicron variant was first identified as a Variant of Concern by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Nov. 30.

Today, the omicron variant is now considered the dominant strain in the U.S., accounting for more than 70% of new cases, federal health officials estimate.

Omicron is more easily spread than previous strains of COVID-19, including the delta variant. Only a percentage of COVID-19-positive test samples are sent for the genetic sequencing used to identify the omicron variant, increasing the likelihood of more unidentified cases of the omicron variant in Northeast Michigan.

“Preliminary information indicates that while currently available vaccinations may be less effective at preventing the transmission of the omicron variant, they are still useful for preventing serious illness,” Joshua Meyerson, DHD4 Medical Director, said. “Research has shown that some of the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include mask-wearing while in public, maintaining six feet of social distancing whenever possible, and frequent handwashing. Doing these things in conjunction with getting vaccinated, either for the first time or as a booster dose, is the best way to protect yourself and your family from COVID-19.”

Meanwhile, the number of active infections in Northeast Michigan continues to drop.

As of Thursday, 165 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected with COVID-19, while about 57.48% 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 down dramatically from 495 active infections last week.

Meanwhile, among those 5 and older, the state says 55.70% of Alpena County residents, 61% of Presque Isle County residents, 55.30% of Montmorency County residents, and 57.90% 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 204 newly infected or probably infected Northeast Michiganders and the deaths of five Northeast Michiganders who had been infected with COVID-19.

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, nine COVID-19 patients were admitted at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, one of them in intensive care. The hospital was 76% full. That occupancy rate reflects how many of all of the hospital’s beds licensed by the state are full. However, the hospital may not be staffed to fill all of its licensed beds, so the working occupancy rate could be significantly higher.

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 9,274 Northeast Michiganders infected or probably infected, and 244 related deaths.