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

ALPENA — Weekly reported cases of COVID-19 have decreased rapidly in the past two weeks. After averaging more than 300 new reported infections per week in January, in the past week, public health officials have reported 92 newly infected or probably infected Northeast Michiganders who had been infected with the sickness.

Health officials reported the data a day after the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services rescinded its recommendation that people wear face masks in public places, including in school settings, citing decreased COVID-19 infections statewide.

Health officials on Thursday reported the deaths within the past week of four Northeast Michiganders who had been infected with COVID-19.

As of Thursday, at least 679 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected with COVID-19, while about 60% 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 from 943 active infections last week.

The number of active infections is likely higher, as The News’ estimate is based on numbers reported through District Health Departments No. 2 and No. 4 and doesn’t account for any positive results from home testing not reported to the health departments. It also doesn’t account for asymptomatic people who never take a test but could still spread the disease.

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.

Meanwhile, among those 5 and older, the state says 57% of Alpena County residents, 65% of Presque Isle County residents, 62% of Montmorency County residents, and 57% of Alcona County residents have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

The state did not update vaccination data since last week, when it did not explain unexpected vaccination percentage increase in Presque Isle and Montmorency counties and a decreased vaccination percentage in Alcona County.

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

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 2021, 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 MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. The story continues below the graphic.

As of Feb. 7, eight COVID-19 patients were admitted at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, one of them in intensive care. The hospital was 100% full. State officials watch hospital occupancy rates closely to decide whether to impose new restrictions meant to slow the spread of infection.

The state did not update hospital data this week.

The state counts all beds licensed for use in its occupancy figures, but hospitals determine occupancy rates based on how many beds they can legally and safely fill with the staffing they have.

Since the pandemic’s start in mid-March 2020, public health officials have reported 10,848 Northeast Michiganders infected or probably infected, and 268 related deaths.