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Michigan has reported 233 COVID-19 infections in which an individual has been infected with the delta variant, a 165% increase from last week’s tally.
The known cases are spread across 39 counties, according to data released Wednesday, August 4 by the Department of Health and Human Services. The counties with the most identified cases are Oakland (32), Wayne (27), Kent (18), Branch (12), Macomb (11) and Ottawa (10).
Other counties in which the Delta variant has been discovered include Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Barry, Bay, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Genesee, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Huron, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Livingston, Marquette , Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Roscommon, Saginaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair, St. Joseph, Tuscola and Washtenaw.
Before the last update, Michigan had 88 known delta variant infections. It is not immediately clear if any particular event led to the huge increase, but a spokesperson for MDHHS said no sequenced samples from the Faster Horses outbreak in Jackson County have been linked. to the delta variant.
It is difficult to determine the prevalence of the last variant of concern in Michigan because so few test samples are sequenced. But health officials noted the state had increased the number of specimens it was sequencing to get a better estimate.
The delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, was first discovered in India last winter. It is now the dominant strain in the United States and around the world, accounting for about 93% of cases nationwide in the last two weeks of July, according to the CDC.
Health officials have warned that the delta variant is more transmissible than smallpox, colds and seasonal flu, and as contagious as chickenpox. It is also believed to be spread more easily by vaccinated individuals than previous strains, although unvaccinated individuals remain eight times more likely to get sick and 25 times more likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19, according to a Washington Post report.
Related: Delta variant update: “Things will get worse”, says Fauci
The delta variant is expected to increase cases in the fall and will likely impact hospital capacity. It could also have an effect on breakthrough cases, which have been reported in less than 0.20% of the millions of fully vaccinated Michiganders.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading infectious disease expert, said unvaccinated people are much more vulnerable to catching COVID-19, from this variant and others, than those who are fully vaccinated.
“Things are going to get worse (as the delta tension spreads),” Fauci said. “We are seeing the cases increase, which is why we keep saying that the solution to this is to get the vaccine and it would not happen.”
As of Tuesday, Aug. 3, about 54% of Michigan’s population aged 12 and over were fully vaccinated and about 58.5% had received a first dose.
“The Delta variant is incredibly serious, but we know how to beat it. By getting vaccinated, ”Governor Gretchen Whitmer tweeted on Wednesday.
Vaccines are widely available for people 12 years of age and older at pharmacies, clinics, and local health systems. To find a vaccine near you, visit the Michigan COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org.
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Michigan reports a total of 2,605 new coronavirus cases over four days from Saturday July 31 to Tuesday August 3
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