Covid hospitalizations on the rise

Two additional people have been hospitalized for COVID-19 in Isabella County and one more in Clare, bringing the total number in both counties 23 and 15, respectively.

They were half of the six COVid-related hospitalizations reported over the last week in the six counties of the Central Michigan District Health Department. CMDHD announced the new numbers during its weekly Data and Statistics update, which takes place at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesdays.

Twenty-three people in Isabella County have been hospitalized due to the disease, and 15 in Clare. Combined, the two account formore than half the 75hospitalizations in the six CMDHD counties.

A hospitalization means that someone spent at least part of the week in the hospital for the disease, not necessarily that they are there currently.

The other three hospitalizations were one each in Osceola, Gladwin and Roscommon counties.

CMDHD’S weekly update doesn’t break down each county’s hospitalizations by age group, but it does break down hospitalizations by age group across the six counties, the sixth of which is

Arenac.

Three people spent time in the hospital from the 75+ age group, the highest risk age group; two people in the 50-74 age group spent time in the hospital; and one in the 20- 49 age group did so.

The two highest age groups also saw their percentage share of cases increase for the first time since mid-august. The number of cases in the 75+ age group increased from 84 to 91, increasing its percentage share of cases from 8.2 percent to 8.5 percent. In the 50-74 age group, cases increased from 215 to 231. The percentage share of cases increased from21.1 percent to 21.5 percent.

The 20- 49 age group, which saw its percentage share of cases grow to more than 50 percent during the CMU return-to-school outbreak, had its share decrease from 56.2 percent to 56 percent. It’s cases grew by 30, from 573 to 603. Percentage share of cases

also declined in the 10-19 age group, from 13.2 percent to 12.9, as cases grew by four from 135 to 139.

The largest share of new cases during the so- called youth surge of August and early September was in Isabella County, where confirmed cases increased to 642 on Wednesday. The county’s percentage share of cases declined over the week, however, from 60.3 percent to 59.7 percent. Fourteen people have died in Isabella County

Clare also sawits percentage share of cases decline from 10 percent to 9.7 percent, even though its cases stood at 104, unchanged from Tuesday. Four people have died there.

One CMDHD county that saw its percentage of cases increase was Gladwin, which added five cases from Tuesday to wednesday for a cumulative total of 95, with two deaths. Over the last seven days, Gladwin’s percentage share of cases has increased from 8 percent to 8.8 percent.

Roscommon County and Osceola County both saw their share of cases increase. Arenac saw its share of cases decrease.

Elsewhere in mid-michigan, Gratiot County reported another two confirmed cases Wednesday for a cumulative total of 255. Fifteen people have died there.

Gratiot County’s cases have increased by 17 over a two-day stretch of time. The cause is not a new outbreak, said Leslie Kinnee, spokeswoman for Mid-michigan District health Department.

“From time-to-time we get numerous positive test results all at once and that is what appears to have happened over the last day or so,” she said. “The increase is a combination of positives from several sources, but it’s basically community spread. We want to remind residents that the best defense we have against COVID-19 right now is for everyone to wear a face covering and stay at least six feet away from others when out in public.”

Montcalm County added an additional three cases, bringing its cumulative total to 316, with six deaths. Mecosta County added an additional eight cases, for a cumulative total of 214, with three deaths. Eight more cases were reported in Midland County, for a cumulative total of 525, with 11 deaths.

Statewide, another 1,054 cases were announced for a cumulative total of 124,687; and another 11 deaths for a total of 6,762. The state’s death rate, more technically known as the case fatality rate, has fallen to 5.4 percent. For much of March, April andmay, itwas at approximately 10 percent.