COLDWATER – COVID cases have been on the rise in the tri-county area over the last week.

According to the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, between July 21 and July 27, there were a total of 106 new positive cases. Branch County is seeing the largest increase in positive cases with 76 during that time. Hillsdale County has 17 new cases and St. Joseph County has 13 new cases. As a result of this increase, the CDC lists Branch County as High Risk for Community Transmission, which is the highest risk factor category used by the CDC. Hillsdale County is currently listed as Substantial Risk and St. Joseph County remains in the Moderate Risk category.

Rebecca Burns, CHA Health Officer says the rapidly increasing case counts is a call to action for all tri-county residents to prevent the further spread of COVID. The CHA is recommending that all tri-county residents implement the following steps to prevent further spread of COVID-19: Wear a mask when indoors in a public location; Get the COVID-19 vaccination if you are 12 years of age or older; Get tested if you have COVID symptoms or have been exposed and Get the facts and dispel the myths.

If you would like more information, you can call the CHA office closest to you, or go on line to bhsj dot org.