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

ALPENA — Alpena Community College officials will continue to ask students to mask at least until after the college’s spring break, despite declining active infections and masking rules falling elsewhere.

As of Thursday, at least 180 Northeast Michiganders were actively infected with COVID-19, down significantly from 772 active infections last week.

After students return from their March 14-18 spring break, school officials will evaluate community and campus infection rates and possibly remove their mask requirements, ACC President Don MacMaster said.

Though other schools in the area recently said students don’t have to mask, the college is erring on the side of caution, MacMaster said.

Active infections have fallen significantly since a 2022 high of 1,000 actively infected Northeast Michiganders in early February.

Active infection totals indicate 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.

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.

Meanwhile, among those 5 and older, about 59% of Northeast Michiganders 5 and older had been fully vaccinated against the disease as of Thursday.

The state says 58% of Alpena County residents, 63% of Presque Isle County residents, 57% of Montmorency County residents, and 59% 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.

In the past week, public health officials have reported 75 newly infected or probably infected Northeast Michiganders and the deaths of three 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 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 MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena. The story continues below the graphic.

As of Monday, six COVID-19 patients were admitted at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, none of them in intensive care. The hospital was 77% full.

Since the pandemic’s start in mid-March 2020, public health officials have reported 11,017 Northeast Michiganders infected or probably infected, and 272 related deaths.