Breakthrough cases lower than expected
Of 246 infections, only 11 hospitalized
Michigan has seen 246 breakthrough COVID-19 cases where a fully vaccinated person was infected with the virus.
Of those, 11 were hospitalized and three, who were over age 65, died. All numbers are as of March 31.
“This is less than 1% of all people who were fully vaccinated by March 31. This is not in excess of what might be expected in terms of breakthroughs for vaccines that have up to 95% efficacy,’’ said Sarah LyonCallo, Ph.D, director of the bureau of epidemiology and population health for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, on Wednesday.
“So we’re actually seeing fewer cases of potential breakthrough than we had anticipated seeing,’’ she added.
Until more Michiganders are vaccinated and the state’s case numbers decrease, Lyon-Callo urges everyone — including those who have been fully vaccinated — to still wear masks, wash their hands and practice social distancing.
“Even after receiving the vaccine it’s possible to become infected with COVID-19 — very rare but it’s possible,’’ Lyon-Callo said
Michigan leads the country with a seven-day average of 477 cases per 100,000 according to the Centers for Disease Control. Michigan ranks 22nd with a seven-day average death rate of 1.2 per
100,000.
So far 36.7% of Michiganders 16 and over have received at least one vaccine shot. The goal is to vaccinate at least 70% of the state over age 16.
Michigan is part of the CDC prevention nationwide investigation into breakthroughs along with local health departments.
Lyon-Callo explained that each week the state takes all the COVID-19 cases and matches the information against the vaccination database to identify
any case where someone was fully vaccinated which means 14 days after their final shot.
“We also look to make sure this person hasn’t had a positive test less than 45 days prior to their postvaccination test,’’ LyonCallo said.
The state gathers all appropriate information including respiratory specimens (if possible) and sends it to the CDC to review and put together with information from other states to look for trends.