It’s even worse: County now has 13 deaths from Covid

The news about the Covid-19 virus continues to be grim, Allegan County, though spared the worst ravages until this month, reflects the trend.

The Allegan County Health Department Friday, Nov. 13, reported the 13^th death from the Coronavirus since the pandemic was declared last March. The department earlier in the day had reported 10. The disease was blamed for just six deaths throughout the spring and summer, but six more have been reported in November.

Covid-19 statistics are the worst since the crisis began, according to health officials. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Thursday warned residences in this state that the trends have been terrible and some kind of turnaround is needed in order to keep things open.

Wayland Union Schools today is finishing its first academic trimester, and Monday begins the second and an enhanced hybrid plan. Schools for now will continue to be open to half the student population on Mondays and Thursdays and the other half Tuesdays and Fridays, with Wednesdays set aside for all on-line instruction.

School officials will take steps toward person-to-person classroom instruction, as determined by risk upgrades from the Allegan County Health Department. Wayland currently is rated “D” and further steps toward in-person learning will be delayed until is reaches a “C.” The school district today reported 144 students are under quarantine.

The Health Department announced Friday, besides the 13 deaths, that 2,520 cases have been reported, most since Sept. 1, a total of 1,058 have been designated as recovered and 623 are currently being monitored. Officials said the virus has hospitalized 85 county residents.