Positivity Rate for the Tri-County Region Drops to Moderate

Monday April 4, 2022

Tracking continues and shows progress

Positivity Risk Levels

This week the FDA followed by the CDC approved a 2nd booster dose for individuals 50 years of age and older who had their last booster dose at least 4 months ago.  This recommendation was made following a review of case data which shows that individuals 50 and older have a higher likelihood of severe disease and immunity does wane with time.  Second boosters were also approved for the following groups:  12-17 year olds that are moderately or severely immune compromised, 18 years and older that are moderately or severely immune compromised, 18-49 year olds that are not moderately or severely immune compromised who received J&J as an initial and secondary dose may receive another dose of an MRNA vaccine.  The recommendations are getting quite detailed and can be very confusing; please reach out to our Agency with any questions on booster doses.  Our Agency is ready to accept individuals ready to receive their 2nd booster if they qualify.  We have been providing a 2nd booster dose to immune compromised individuals since that was approved.  Appointments can be made to receive the COVID vaccine at our office by heading to www.bhsj.org/scheduling.

The new Omicron type variant called BA.2 is showing up in Michigan in some specimens being sequenced at the lab.  This is something we need to continue to watch closely as this variant of the Omicron virus is more transmissible than the original.

Free COVID testing continues at our Agency offices as it has been; in Three Rivers on Friday, in Coldwater on Thursday, in Hillsdale (lower level) on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, in Centreville at Glen Oaks CC on Tuesday.  There are also free COVID test kits that can be ordered at no cost and will be sent to homes from the federal government at https://www.covid.gov/tests.  And some zip codes in our area are also eligible to receive free test kits from the Rockefeller Foundation program at:  https://www.accesscovidtests.org/