When you received your last update from the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) in December, a new COVID-19 variant was just starting to gain the attention of health professionals. At that time, the XBB.1.5 variant was being attributed to approximately 10% of all new COVID cases nationwide and in Michigan.

However, in just four weeks, the XBB.1.5 variant has taken hold at a rapid pace, now accounting for almost half of all new U.S. cases and about 40% of all new cases in Michigan. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that XBB.1.5 is now the dominant strain in the U.S. Virologists believe that the XBB.1.5 variant has a mutation that makes this variant more transmissible than most of the previous variants but does not appear to be more severe than any previous strain to date.

Research is currently being conducted to gauge the bivalent vaccine's efficacy against the new strain. Initial studies seem to indicate that the vaccine is working to prevent severe disease from XBB.1.5 but may not be as good against infection. Public health officials nationwide, including those at KCHD, continue to urge those who have not been vaccinated or who have not received a bivalent booster, to do so as soon as possible. A decrease in transmission provides the virus fewer opportunities to mutate into more new strains. 

Symptoms of the new strain are very similar to the previous variants and can include, fatigue, runny nose, muscle aches, and sneezing. Loss of taste and smell appear to be less common than with some earlier strains. 

If you have not received your COVID-19 vaccine or not up-to-date on the bivalent boosters, you can make your appointment by calling the KCHD at (616) 632-7200. 

Here is an opportunity for you to get free COVID-19 tests sent directly to your door. After a brief hiatus, the federal government is again making four COVID-19 test kits available to every U.S. household.

To get your free COVID-19 tests, click here or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

The availability of the new tests comes amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases that began to emerge after the Thanksgiving Holiday. Testing remains an important way to help slow the transmission of the virus.

February is the month for hearts. Valentine's Day is all about showing your special someone how much you care.
While many of us will do that with cards and flowers, the World Health Organization, the CDC, and the American Heart Association want you to use February to think about your heart health.

Cardiovascular disease is the largest cause of death in the U.S. and many of these deaths could be prevented by addressing such lifestyle causes as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. 

High blood pressure, long known as "the silent killer," is the leading cause for cardiovascular disease and stroke. According to the CDC, nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure and yet is it estimated that less than 1 in 4 of these people have taken steps to get their blood pressure under control. According to the CDC, high cholesterol levels can double the risk of having a heart attack. LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, can build up in people's arteries and interrupt blood flow to the heart and other organs.  
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can be dramatically improved with a few simple lifestyle modifications such as eating a healthy and low fat, low sodium, and low cholesterol diet, being physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight.  

Also, though on the decline in recent years, tobacco use, especially smoking, is still a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. If you are a smoker, the single best thing you can do for your overall health is to quit. 

The American Heart Association has compiled a list healthy Valentine's Day activities that you can use to jump start a heart healthy lifestyle. You can see that list here. 

It is one of the busiest times of the year for the Environmental Health Division as it prepares for food service license renewals. For the past two years annual license fees were waived when the Kent County Board of Commissioners voted to approve funding to cover the fees to help offset costs incurred due to the pandemic. The waivers have been discontinued; therefore, license holders will be required to pay the 2023-2024 licensing fees. 

Renewal application forms have also been updated by the State and look a little different than years prior. The renewal forms will be sent to facilities at the end of March with a payment deadline of April 30, 2023. Environmental Health staff will continue working with facilities to assist in the licensing and renewal process throughout the next couple of months. Any food operator can contact KCEHmail@kentcountymi.gov or call 616-632-7100 with any questions.