The Barry Eaton District Health Department issued a statement Friday agreeing that significant personal and community actions are needed to reduce the current COVID-19 surge.
"While significant attention has been placed on in-school transmission of the disease, we continue to see the majority of transmission occur outside of classrooms" the statement said.
"Governor Whitmer came out today with a strong recommendation that schools move to virtual instruction for the next two weeks and that youth sports pause in-person activity as well. Given the continued rise in cases, we agree taking both of these actions together could help reduce spread in Barry and Eaton counties. "
"The rise in cases in our district is mostly stemming from activities outside of in-person learning --social activities like family gatherings, sleepovers, and sports. Just in the past week, we have identified new outbreaks at birthday parties, sports parties, sleepovers, funerals, restaurants, churches, daycares, youth sports teams, schools, long-term care (nursing homes), banks, office workplaces, and apartment complexes."
Colette Scrimger, Health Officer at BEDHD, stated, “Given the value of in-person learning, we continue to recommend that districts consider pausing all extra-curricular activities before moving to a virtual platform or at least at the same time. Continuing extra-curriculars but pausing in-person learning will not have the same impact on disease transmission.”
According to the BEDHD, the rate of COVID-19 cases in Eaton County is nearly as high as it was in November of 2020. From March 1 to March 31st, rates more than quadrupled, from 163 cases per million (7-day average) to 689 cases per million. In Barry County, the rates of COVID-19 have increased as well – although to only about half the level of the November surge. From March 1 to March 31st, rates tripled from 147 cases per million (7-day average) to 449 cases per million in Barry County.
"Currently, Eaton County’s positivity rate is extraordinarily high, at 21.5%, and Barry County is also very high at 16.5%. This means that there are lots of COVID-19 cases that we are likely not aware of. We also believe that B.1.1.7 variant type (UK variant) is a growing share of cases in both counties. This variant has been present in our district for over two months, and it is more transmissible and serious for younger adults. It’s important to get tested for COVID-19 if you have developed symptoms of COVID-19, or if you think you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19."
Scrimger stated, “We all absolutely have to increase our vigilance in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Besides mask wearing, testing, social distancing, and handwashing, we also recommend to avoid or reschedule family gatherings and parties. Get takeout food from a local restaurant rather than dining in. Work from home if you can. Avoid unnecessary travel, and get vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as it’s available to you.”
