COVID-19 cases on the rise in kids as they return to the classroom, health officials say

MARSHALL, Mich. — COVID-19 cases among kids were rising while youth vaccination rates were lagging just two weeks into the school year, Calhoun County health officer Eric Pessell said.

The Calhoun County Health Department hosted a vaccine clinic Wednesday at Marshall High School.

"We’re seeing a lot of cases and we’re needing to quarantine a lot of students,” said Pessell.

According to the Michigan COVID-19 vaccine dashboard, 34% of kids ages 12 to 19 in Calhoun County have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

In Kalamazoo County, where there's a countywide school mask mandate, the youth vaccination rate is at about 51%.

"That’s not just our schools, that’s reflective of the general population in our county. Our vaccination rates are lower than some of those around us.” said Pessell.

Calhoun County was not requiring masks in schools but three out of four of the largest districts in the county have a mask mandate.

Pessell said his department is offering to host vaccine clinics at schools to boost vaccination rates.

The health department also partnered with Albion College to offer incentives for getting the vaccine.

Students who get vaccinated Wednesday have the chance to win a free year of tuition at Albion College, which requires COVID-19 vaccines.

"I came for moral support. She got it and I'm glad she did,” said Donna Avina, an Albion College student.

Even though COVID-19 rates were rising in kids, Pessell said he doesn't expect schools to send all kids home for virtual learning.

“I think we can put enough measures in place so that it doesn’t get that far out of control,” he said.

The Calhoun County health department planned to host another vaccine clinic at Albion College Saturday.

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