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Kent County Health Department warning of COVID-19 new case resurgence

Novel coronavirus graphic
PBS

The Kent County Health Department says more than 28% of the county’s population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

While that’s a positive, it’s warning residents that COVID cases, positivity rate and hospitalizations are all climbing.

The Kent County Health Department is monitoring factors behind a resurgent spread of COVID-19. In a news release, Kent County Health Department Administrative Health Officer, Dr. Adam London explained, “It is critically important for everyone to remember that the arrival of coronavirus variants and prematurely relaxed attitudes about COVID-19, put our community in grave danger of a resurgence in cases and deaths.”

The past week has revealed an increase in the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions. The influx mirrors an escalation in positive cases documented with the health department. It reports that over the past seven days, new daily cases increased from about 75 to more than 100. March 17th was especially concerning with a spike of 178 new positive cases.

The upsurge correlates with a climbing positivity rate reaching 5.4%. It had remained steady at about 4% over the past two months.

The Kent County Health Department is asking residents continue wearing masks in public places, avoid large social gatherings, hand washing and staying home if you feel sick.

It’s also encouraging receiving a vaccination as soon as one becomes available to you.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.