The number of deaths in Allegan County associated with the Coronavirus moved up to 110, as compared to 105 last Monday.
Despite the increase, statistics continue to look positive in the battle against Covid-19. The average number of new cases over a seven-day period declined to below 10 percent for the first time in nearly six months. Martin Public Schools, which has been having all-day every-day in-person classes reported no new cases for any students of staff for the entire week.
Total number of cases in the county as of Friday was 7,136, with 172 hospitalizations. A total of 6,349 people have been reported to have recovered.
Michigan deaths climbed above 15,000 this week, but latest figures show positivity rates below 4 percent.
Wayland schools starting Monday will be all in-person classroom instruction, joining Martin, and Hopkins will transition to in-person classroom instruction starting March 8 for four days per week.
The Allegan County Health Department as of last September had reported just six Coronavirus deaths, but the figure steadily rose to 50 just before the Christmas holiday and then continued to rise afterward.
Though now reaching the milestone of 15,000 Coronavirus deaths, Michigan has done better than most of the nation since the holiday break. Restaurants opened at 25 percent capacity Feb. 1, and some high school, sports, such as bowling and swimming are in full swing. Basketball, wrestling and competitive cheer have resumed competition this week.
The Health Department put together its first of a series of vaccination clinics at the Wayland High School gym last Saturday, providing shots to about 1,000 people. Clinics are planned at the high school auxiliary gym every Saturday throught February.
Those who live or work in Allegan County and are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine should sign up through the “I Want the COVID-19 Vaccine” form on www.allegancounty.org/covid. Once they are signed up, they will receive an e-mail from ACHD about when they can schedule an appointment.
An ACHD spokesperson said, “Due to the overwhelming response and limited vaccine availability, eligible individuals may not receive an email for three to four weeks. If individuals need confirmation that they are on the registry, please e-mail covidvaccine@allegancounty.org
