Sault Michigan's health department confirms Delta variant in the area

The Chippewa County Health Department (CCHD), which covers the Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. area, has reported that the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant has been identified in the region.

This is the first time the health department has confirmed the presence of the Delta variant in the area. Back in April, the U.K variant (B.1.1.7) was reported in the Chippewa region.

Algoma Public Health on the Sault, Ont. side reported its first known case of a variant of concern on March 31 in three separate cases of COVID-19. The Delta variant was first identified in the region on June 9.

As of Aug. 11, CCHD has reported 2,598 cumulative COVID-19 cases, 2,508 of which are recovered and 35 of which have died. There are currently 0 people hospitalized with the virus.

CCHD is reporting 55.2 per cent of the eligible population is vaccinated with a first dose, and 51.1 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

APH recently announced that 75 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

The local health unit has confirmed 410 COVID-19 cases since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 408 of which are resolved and two of which are active. APH has reported six total deaths. There are currently no patients hospitalized with the virus.

While Canadian travellers are not permitted to enter the U.S. except for essential reasons, the Canadian border opened on Aug. 9 to fully vaccinated U.S. travellers.