The Berrien County Health Department urges everyone to avoid large gatherings for New Year’s Eve. Deputy Health Officer Candi Gabrielse tells WSJM News COVID-19 transmission remains high in the county. Gabrielse says Omicron has not yet been detected in the county. How does it differ from Delta?
“It does seem easier to get, but when you have the highest ability to transmit it, that is greatly reduced,” Gabrielse said. “It’s more like a one to four day transmission period, so it’s a lot shorter than what we saw with Delta.”
Gabrielse says the health department’s biggest recommendation is to get vaccinated.
“We know that you can still get COVID even if you have the vaccine. However, those symptoms are greatly reduced, and you can avoid hospitalization and even death by getting those vaccines.”
Gabrielse advises those who go out to wear a mask, sanitize their hands, and to take a COVID test before heading to their destination. She notes you can get appointments for both tests and vaccinations at BCHDMI.org. The Berrien County Health Department is not at this time recommending quarantine or isolation periods be shortened, as was recommended this week by the CDC.
