Washtenaw County Reports Increase in COVID-19 Cases, Encourages Thanksgiving Celebrations Safe to Stop Spread



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WASHTENAW COUNTY – As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in southeast Michigan, Washtenaw County health officials are asking residents to get creative with their Thanksgiving celebrations this year.

As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 24, the county reported 64 confirmed cases among residents in the past 24 hours, while the health department’s two-week snapshot from November 5 to November 18 showed 1,823 cases and six deaths – a significant increase from the ministry’s two-week snapshot from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4, which showed 1,237 cases and three deaths.

“Even if someone gets a negative COVID-19 test, it is still possible for them to have the virus and spread it to others,” the health department said in a recent Facebook post. “Please keep this in mind as you prepare for the upcoming vacation!”

While Washtenaw County encourages residents to spend the holidays with only members of the same household is the safest way to celebrate, the health department has said if you are traveling to see other people, limit the number. of households present and use COVID-19 precautions to prevent a loved one from getting sick. Wearing face covers, separating six feet and washing hands are the most effective methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19, the department said.

Taking advantage of virtual meeting platforms to sit and eat alongside the family is one way to reduce the growing number of COVID-19 cases across the county, the health department said.

The number of cases among local residents since the start of the pandemic is 9,371, including 8,368 laboratory-confirmed cases, 1,003 probable cases and 129 deaths, according to Wednesday’s report.

Since the start of the pandemic, 8% of confirmed cases have resulted in hospital treatment, while 2% have involved admission to an intensive care unit. Women account for 52% of cases in Washtenaw, with men accounting for 54% of deaths in the county.

The county has reported a slight increase in cases among people under the age of 18. The two-week snapshot from the Department of Health shows that 7% of cases were from minors, compared to the snapshot from October 22 to November 4, which showed 4% of total infections. under 18s.

People aged 18 to 22 accounted for 24% of all cases, while 18% were among people aged 23 to 29, with 42% of cases coming from people aged 30 to 64. People over 65 represent 9% of the total cases in the two-week snapshot.

The health department issued a warning on Wednesday that cases and hospitalizations were on the rise in the region’s Hispanic community.

“COVID-19 positive cases and hospitalizations are increasing rapidly among Latinos in Washtenaw County,” the health department said in a Facebook post. “This means that the risk of contagion is very high.”

White residents account for 64% of cases reported in the two-week snapshot, with 10% among black residents, 6% among Hispanic or Latino residents, 6% among Asian residents, and 20% listed as other or unknown.

The weekly positivity rate in the region is 7.2%, according to data from the Michigan Safe Start website.

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