© 2023 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Health Officer: Rise In Positive Coronavirus Tests Not Related To New Variant

Linda Vail Zoom image
Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail, speaking with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday

Ingham County is experiencing a higher percentage of positive coronavirus tests in recent weeks.

The latest numbers show a positivity rate just over 9-percent in Ingham County. Health Officer Linda Vail says that’s “a very high number,” but she doesn’t think it’s linked to the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus, which is highly contagious, adding "some of it is just an increase in cases, but we have some decreases in testing.”

Vail continues to encourage vaccinations. She says 40-percent of Ingham County residents 16 and older have gotten at least one dose of vaccine. By the end of the week, almost 61,000 people will have been administered a vaccine in the county.

More than 15,000 people in the county have recovered from COVID-19.

Scott Pohl is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR's "Morning Edition."
Related Content
Support local journalism by becoming a new WKAR donor and get ad-free feeds of your favorite NPR podcasts with NPR+ when you donate $8/month or more! Make your contribution today to fund more vetted news reports throughout mid-Michigan!