NEWBERRY — COVID cases continue to rise in the Eastern U.P., according to the LMAS Health Departmentofficials. During March 2021, the counties of Luce, Mackinac, Alger, and Schoolcraft, added 59 confirmed cases of COVID and 73 probable cases, for a total increase of 132. However, from April 4 to May 5, 2021, the LMAS counties have added 179 confirmed cases, and 146 probable cases for a total of 325 additional cases. Mackinac County added 77 confirmed and 54 probable in the last month, while Luce added 41 confirmed and 59 probable. Alger and Schoolcraft counties both increased by a total of 47 cases.

“As COVID vaccinations received emergency use authorization and became available in December 2020, there was a sense of relief and hope, but what followed has been a trend to abandon all precautions before we reach the needed levels of immunity to be able to safely move forward,” health officials said in a press release. “Some restrictions are being eased, especially for those who are fully vaccinated, but with variants on the rise in the region, individuals not wearing a mask, and the growing number of large indoor and outdoor gatherings, more cases are the result. The more people who are infected with COVID, the greater chance of more variants developing, and greater the risk of one of those variants being resistant to the vaccines and the existing treatments for COVID disease.

According to health officials, COVID vaccinations are effective at preventing COVID disease and reducing the spread of the virus. Any serious risks from vaccinations are very rare. “The risks from having COVID are much more likely, and much more serious, not just for people who are old or have other health conditions. All are at risk of complications or death from COVID disease.

LMAS District Health Department has COVID vaccination opportunities at multiple locations across our four counties. Visit LMASDHD.org for an appointment.

“Whatever your vaccination status, we need you to help take care of yourself and each other by continuing to mask and social distance in public places or with people who do not live in your immediate household,” health officials said. “The more transmissible B.1.1.7. variant has made vaccination efforts a race against time. Whatever choice you make, make sure it is based on science and from reliable sources.’

Some sources are CDC.gov, NIH.gov, MDHHS.gov/coronavirus, and for a non-partisan, Michigan source, visit BridgeMI.com.