HANCOCK — Thursday’s announcement that COVID-19 guidelines will be relaxed shows that the state is making progress with vaccinations, though the area still needs more, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Health Officer Kate Beer said.

“We’ve got a few communities that are below 50% right now that are falling behind a little bit,” she said. “I think it just shows that we’re moving forward cautiously.”

Beer is anticipating the new release of regulations on Monday by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which she said could provide better guidance for employers and employees. The work-from-home requirements that had been in place will be lifted Monday. The move was made two weeks ago after the state hit the 55% vaccination mark as part of the state’s previous plan tying reopening to vaccination metrics.

“The CDC statement has kind of made that a bit of a grey area,” Beer said.

Whitmer’s Thursday order would include lifting virtually all COVID restrictions by July 1. State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock, said he is optimistic the move will help move things back to normal and restore local control.

“We worked very hard to try to get the governor back to the table to the table ourselves to start negotiating some of these standards, so I want to be optimistic and let’s say that we’re going to start moving forward, get our economy going and get people back to work,” he said. “It’s going to be a great summer, so I want people to enjoy it safely.”

Markkanen was also pleased by an agreement announced Thursday afternoon between Whitmer and Michigan legislative leaders. Whitmer would give legislators a formal role in any future emergency measures, while her administration would have more input in budget negotiations. That would include federal COVID-19 relief funding that had been held up by the legislature. The agreement would also mean MIOSHA COVID-19 regulations would not become permanent.

“We’re optimistic now that we’re going to have a seat at the table and represent our districts in any future decisions,” he said.

While supply has long ceased to be a problem, demand for vaccinations has slowed. In the four weeks between March 27 and April 24, the rate of people with at least one dose in the WUPHD’s five-county area jumped from 33.4% to 44.5%. Over the next four weeks, it has only risen to 47.6%.

To boost the number of vaccinations, the health department has been reaching out to specific groups, such as on-site clinics for employers or setting up special hours for their employees to come to the health department offices.

Local providers such as Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital and Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center have stepped up to vaccinate children 12 and up, who recently became eligible, Beer said. People are also getting vaccinated at pharmacies such as Walgreen’s.

“There’s a lot more points of entry now, which is great,” Beer said. “We’re just trying to find some new ways to be interested, or meet them where they need to be met, because sometimes it is a convenience thing where people don’t have transportation, or it doesn’t fit with their work schedule to take time off and get vaccinated.”

The percentage of vaccination declines with younger age groups, partially because they have had a shorter window of eligibility.

The latest eligibility range, 12 to 15 years, has has 1.4% receive at least one dose. Beer said some may be waiting to finish up school or their athletic seasons.

“We’re hoping to pick up as the summer progresses,” she said.