[ad_1]
As COVID-19 cases continue to decline in the Northwest Michigan Department of Health service area in Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties, health officials continue to urge parents of teens and pre-teens to get vaccinated.
According to a recent presentation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on data on COVID-19 cases, since the start of the pandemic, at least 7.7 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported among people aged 12 to 29.
Adolescents and young adults have the highest incidence rates of COVID-19 and represent a growing proportion of reported COVID-19 cases, according to CDC data. While more older adults are vaccinated, adolescents and young adults make up a higher percentage of the total number of cases.
As shown in CDC data, 33% of cases reported in May this year were in people aged 12 to 29.
“In our jurisdiction of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties, 61.1% of residents aged 12 and over have at least one dose of the vaccine, which tells us that there is still progress to be made. do, â€said Lisa Peacock, health worker. with the Northwestern Michigan Department of Health.
“We strive to reach our residents by reducing barriers to immunization, pursuing small community clinics and offering appointments after 8-5 business hours,” Peacock said. “As the population of our region continues to increase this summer, there is no better time to get vaccinated. If you have any questions about vaccines, talk to your primary care provider, call our health department, (800) 432-4121, or call Munson’s Ask-A-Nurse phone line, (231) 935-0951. “
Since the start of the pandemic, the CDC has reported 2,767 deaths from COVID-19 among people aged 12 to 29. A total of 316 deaths have been reported since April 1.
Vaccinating individuals in the student-aged population provides an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and can be an important tool in getting back to “normal”, especially for those returning to school in the fall. , notes the Northwestern Michigan Department of Health. .
Higher levels of vaccine coverage may result in reduced community transmission, which may protect against the development and circulation of emerging variants, such as the Delta variant.
In the jurisdiction of the Northwestern Michigan Department of Health, those aged 12 to 15, 16 to 19, and 20 to 29 were the three lowest percentages of people who received at least one dose of the drug. vaccine.
Data from the health department shows that 26.2% of people aged 12 to 15 received at least one dose, while 44.3% of people aged 16 to 19 and 38.9% of older people 20 to 29 year olds in the four county area received at least one dose.
By comparison, the two highest age groups of people in the Four County region who have started their vaccination series include those aged 65 to 74 at 81.5% and 75 and over at 81.8%. .
Looking at case data from the past few weeks, officials from the Northwestern Michigan Department of Health released the following information regarding data trends for reported cases during the month of June.
The key data points are:
• Over the past week, between 0 and 1 new cases per day were reported in Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet counties, while Otsego County recorded between 1 and 3 new cases per day .
• Of the 50 total cases reported from June 1 to June 30, 0% of the cases were 70 years or older, an age group with 78.1% being fully vaccinated
• A total of 26.4% of cases involved people aged 20 to 29 years or older, an age group of which 35.1% were fully immunized.
According to the Northwestern Michigan Department of Health’s June COVID-19 summary, of the 50 total new cases reported during the month, five were reported as inpatients in a hospital, while three deaths were reported.
As of March 12, 2020, there are now a total of 8,063 reported cases of COVID-19 in the jurisdiction of the four counties and 135 deaths.
The majority of June cases – 80% – were not vaccinated or chose not to report their vaccination status. The most common symptoms of those infected included cough, fatigue, and muscle pain.
For more information and to view the COVID-19 vaccination clinics available in the region, visit www.nwhealth.org.
[ad_2]