GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The spread of COVID-19 appears to be slower in Kent County, with lower numbers of positive cases and the death toll in the county, according to the Kent Department of Health.
“We currently report 6,919 diagnosed cases,” said Adam London, director of the Kent County Health Department.
“We see an average of 36 new cases reported every day over the last week,” London said. “So that number has dropped a bit. Last week I saw about 50 cases a week, so this is a good sign.”
London on Wednesday released the encouraging numbers on case counts and news about a possible vaccine via social media, saying the province is sowing on 6,919 diagnosed cases of COVID-19, with 5,598 recurrences. 153 people have died from the virus. London says the mortality rate is also declining as is the percentage of tests that return positive.
“We are at 2.2 per cent (tests returning positive) last week at that rate,” London said. ‘However, it is concerned about what is happening on the other side of the state. Metro Detroit sees positivity rates between 4.5 percent to 7 percent. That’s about the potential that should affect the rest of the state. ”
London says hope is at the end of the tunnel after the US announced it was ordering 100 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, now in Phase 3 of its trials. London says he is hopefully optimistic despite uncertainty over the upcoming school year and the upcoming change in seasons.
“Many viruses have a seasonal effectiveness, where they are more effective in transmitting at times of the year. With COVID-19, we do not know what this epidemic will look like season after season. ”
Michigan mandates require students to wear 6th grade and up masks. However, the health department says they think students of all ages should wear a mask for the health and safety of everyone.
“The other thing that matters is the reopening of schools,” London said. “That we advise everyone to wear a mask to school as much as possible.”
London ended its message by asking families to think seriously about distance learning as an option for their children if they are unable to wear masks for medical reasons.
You can stay updated by following the Kent County Department of Health on Facebook.
