MUSKEGON, MI – Muskegon County is the latest county to report a case of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
Public Health-Muskegon County reported the case on Wednesday, July 28, and indicated there likely are more than just one in the county.
Kathy Moore, the public health director, said the discovery was not unexpected.
“It’s important for our community to know that this variant is circulating here, and it spreads more easily and quickly, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19,” Moore said in a prepared statement.
Only a “small percentage” of confirmed COVID cases are sent on for genetic sequencing to determine the variant, according to the notice from the health department. That means “it is very likely there are more unidentified cases of the Delta variant in Muskegon County,” according to the health department.
Now the nation’s dominant strain of coronavirus, the Delta variant is believed to be more infectious than previous strains and could be spread more easily from vaccinated to unvaccinated individuals.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Rochelle Walensky said in a press conference Tuesday that the variant “behaves differently” from other strains of COVID-19.
In most cases, patients with the variant are more likely to be hospitalized, suffer other complications, and require oxygen.
It also has slightly different symptoms. Those include stomach pain, sore throat, headache, stuffy nose, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, joint pain and hearing loss.
So far this month, there have been 168 new COVID cases diagnosed in Muskegon County, according to the health department. That includes 25 cases identified on July 27, the highest single-day total since May 26, health department statistics show. The last recorded death was July 6.
In the past week alone, there have been 91 new cases, the health department reported. That compares with 38 the previous week.
On Monday, July 26, Mercy Health Muskegon had 10 hospitalized COVID patients, four of them in intensive care, according to State of Michigan reporting.
Since the pandemic began, Muskegon County has reported 15,910 cases of COVID-19 and 363 deaths.
Those who believe they have been infected with COVID-19 or who have been in contact with an infected individual should get tested. To find a local testing site, visit maskupmuskegon.org/gettested.
Vaccinations are highly recommended for individuals ages 12 and older. To find a vaccination location, visit maskupmuskegon.org/vaccineinfo.
Individuals can also call 2-1-1 then press 5 for assistance in COVID-19 vaccine scheduling or with any questions related to COVID-19 vaccination.
The health department is planning two community vaccination clinics on Aug. 19 where all three types of vaccine – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – will be available.
One clinic will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Muskegon Community Health and Wellness Center at Muskegon Community College, 221 Quarterline Road.
The other will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hackley Park in downtown Muskegon at 350 W Webster Ave.
The health department is offering to bring vaccination clinics to businesses, churches, clubs and other organizations. To request one, click here.
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