Friday, August 6 Update

Hi there,

I think everyone reading has heard about the very concerning Delta variant.  Here in Oakland County, this virus mutation is also taking hold. 

In just one week, we moved from a level of moderate to substantial transmission based on CDC’s new level of community transmission tracker.  A person’s risk for COVID-19 infection is directly related to the extent of virus circulating in the community.  Our current 7-day average positivity rate is 5.3% (7/28/21-8/4/21).  A month earlier, it was 1.9% (7/4/21-7/11/21).  Oakland County’s seven-day case average for confirmed COVID-19 cases is 118 cases per day as of Aug. 6. A significant portion of these cases are Delta.

We remind residents that in addition to vaccinations, wearing masks and social distancing remain the most effective means of preventing the spread of COVID-19. A recent surge in COVID-19 cases, including the Delta variant, prompts our reminder for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated. If you haven’t yet, get vaccinated if you are eligible and please consider doing so as soon as possible, especially before school starts and people start heading inside as Fall approaches.

Check out our Medical Director Dr. Russell Faust and myself as we share more about these trends.  Information is also included below in this newsletter.

70.9% of our residents 16 years or older have received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Visit the state’s COVID-19 vaccine dashboard and the Oakland County Vaccine Hub for even more vaccination data.

In good health,

Leigh-Anne Stafford Director, Health and Human Services

Oakland County moves to 'substantial' transmission, indoor masking recommended for fully vaccinated

CDC recently updated masking guidelines for fully vaccinated individuals determined by the current level of community transmission. CDC updates transmission data using an interactive tool.

Oakland County is now in a level of substantial transmission. Considering the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, consider wearing masks and socially distancing in public indoor spaces regardless of your vaccination status.

This data is based on two metrics: the number of new cases per 100,000 residents and the percentage of coronavirus tests that come back positive in a seven-day period.

Highly transmissible Delta variant sparks new prevention guidelines

Information about variants is rapidly emerging. Scientists are learning about how easily they spread, whether they cause more severe illness, and if authorized vaccines protect people against them.

Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can spread the virus to others.

Getting vaccinated prevents severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.

To reduce the risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others, the following is now recommended by the CDC for fully vaccinated people:

• Wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
• Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated. People who are at increased risk for severe disease include older adults and those who have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, overweight or obesity, and heart conditions.
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Get tested 3-5 days following a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until a negative test result.
• Isolate after a positive COVID-19 test in the prior 10 days or if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Week at a Glance-Health Division upcoming vaccination sites

The following locations will offer first dose COVID-19 vaccinations in August for individuals 12 years and older (unless otherwise indicated):

• Monday-Friday- 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m; every Wednesday in August open until 7 p.m.
  
  
  • Oakland County North Oakland Health Center (Pontiac)
  • Oakland County South Oakland Health Center (Southfield)
• Tuesday, Aug. 10
  
  
  • Hazel Park Community Center, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    
    
  • Carnival Market (Pontiac), 12-3 p.m.
    
    
• Wednesday, Aug. 11
   
  • Good Neighbor Event Emergency Management Warehouse (Pontiac), 4-6 p.m.
    
    
• Thursday, Aug. 19
  
  
  • Best Western Premier Hotel (Southfield), 12-5:30 p.m.
    
    
• Friday, Aug. 20
  
  
  • Berkley CruiseFest (Berkley), 4-6 p.m.
    
    
• Saturday, Aug. 28
  
  
  • Believers Community Outreach Back to School Event (Pontiac),
    2-6 p.m.
    
    
• Monday, Aug. 30
  
  
  • Hazel Park Community Center, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
    
    
• Tuesday, Aug. 31
  
  
  • Best Western Premier Hotel (Southfield), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
    
    
  • Carnival Market (Pontiac), 12-3 p.m.

For more details about these locations, click on our Get Vaccinated page.  You can also call 800-848-5533, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more assistance. COVID-19 vaccinations are provided at no cost.

OaklandCountyVaccine.com is the best place to receive the latest information.