JACKSON COUNTY, MI -- Health officials are showing increasing concern about the spread of coronavirus in Jackson County as the weather turns colder.
Daily new cases of COVID-19 are almost double the daily rate of September and four times greater than August, Jackson County Health Department officials reported on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
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Hospitalizations have also increased, officials said, with Henry Ford Allegiance Health reporting 22 people at the hospital for in-patient treatment as of Tuesday, Oct. 20.
There have been 1,595 positive cases of COVID-19 in county residents since March, mostly in Jackson and its immediately surrounding townships, according to health department data. About 587 are considered active cases. Sixty residents have died from the virus.
The epidemiological curve for COVID-19 cases in Jackson County as of mid-October. Officials say the increasing daily rate is concerning as the weather cools and people spend more time indoors. (Courtesy of Jackson County Health Department)
About 4.7% of county residents tested for the virus receive positive results, according to the state’s seven-day average for the week ending on Oct. 17.
Health department officials are worried about how the virus will spread as days get shorter and colder, forcing people to spend more time indoors. The department asks people who have tested positive for COVID-19 to call close contacts to let them know as soon as possible and to immediately start their quarantine.
Health officials also remind people that receiving a negative COVID-19 test after an exposure does not mean they won’t develop symptoms or test positive at a future time within the 14-day quarantine period.
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Anyone with questions about the virus can contact the Jackson County Health Department at 517-788-4420, option 9, and leave a message. Call 911 if there is an emergency.
For COVID-19 testing in Jackson County, residents can contact the Henry Ford Allegiance Health COVID-19 Patient Hotline at 517-205-6100, or the Center for Family Health Hotline at 517-748-5363.
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