Criteria created for antibody treatment
TRI-CITY AREA — The number of new COVID-19 cases has started to decline.
There were 730 confirmed cases in Lapeer County between Jan. 22-28, 253 less than the prior week. In St. Clair County, 1,607 new cases were reported between the 22nd and 28th and that represents a drop of 494 from the week before.
Both counties saw their positive test rates decline as well but those numbers still remain high. Between Jan. 20-26, Lapeer County’s was 39.5 percent and as of Jan. 28, St. Clair County’s stood at 33.2 percent.
St. Clair County’s virus deaths fell by almost half last week, going from 25 to 13. Lapeer County actually saw deaths increase last week, going from seven to 11.
In Lapeer, hospitalizations peaked during the week at 17 cases with five requiring intensive care.
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Last week, the St. Clair County Health Department announced that monoclonal antibody therapy drugs, particularly the one effective in treating the Omicron variant, are in short supply. As a result, priority eligibility criteria for antiviral medication and monoclonal antibody therapy has been put into effect.
Those given priority include anyone who is moderate to severe immunocompromised regardless of vaccine status, anyone older than 75 not up to date on vaccines, anyone 64-75 not up to date on vaccine and with a priority risk factor, pregnant persons not up to date on COVID vaccines.
Tri-Hospital EMS operates the county’s local infusion center.
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The Lapeer County Health Department continues to offer walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
Anyone 12 years and older can receive a shot on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 2–6 p.m.
For youth 5-11, walk in clinics will be held on Mondays from 3-6 p.m. The one exception is President’s day, Feb. 21. The clinic will be moved to Tuesday, Feb. 22 from 3-6 p.m.
