Kate Beer
HANCOCK – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) notified the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) that the MDHHS Bureau of Laboratories identified the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 in five Houghton County cases.
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant is thought to have emerged in the United Kingdom and has since been detected in many countries and states. Compared to the original virus, the B.1.1.7 variant is approximately 50% more transmissible, leading to faster spread and potentially increasing the numbers of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
“When a variant is identified or suspected, additional measures take place, such as a strict 14-day quarantine,” said Kate Beer, Health Officer at WUPHD. “A new variant in our community is concerning since it can be related to higher transmission rates. Residents across the jurisdiction are reminded to
WUPHD: Area vaccine supply is increasing | News, Sports, Jobs miningjournal.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miningjournal.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
gneese@mininggazette.com
HANCOCK As vaccine supplies increase throughout the five-county region, the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department is expanding eligibility for who can sign up.
In addition to people 65 and older, the eligible groups now include people 50 and older with underlying health conditions and caregivers of children with special health needs. The state announced the expanded criteria Friday. Those groups will also still be prioritized when the vaccine expands to the general population.
Right now, about 1,500 first doses per week are coming to the five-county area, versus 900 at the start, said Kate Beer, health director for the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.
Area providers experiencing shortened COVID-19 waitlists | News, Sports, Jobs mininggazette.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mininggazette.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Kate Beer
HANCOCK – The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) is pleased to announce the return of Robert Van Howe, MD, MS as its provisional medical director. Dr. Van Howe previously served as interim medical director from October 2019 through December 2020 for the WUPHD and two other district health departments in the Upper Peninsula.
Prior to his work in public health, Dr. Van Howe practiced general pediatrics in Marquette County and was the founding professor and chief of pediatrics at the Central Michigan University College of Medicine. Dr. Van Howe has provisional status until the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services approves his full appointment.