Washtenaw County Health Department Health Officer Jimena Loveluck has begun her three-year term on the Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston Board of Directors.

Three community members will be chosen to serve on the county's new Health Equity Council.

Local health department officials say the uptick in opioid overdose deaths are consistent with the national trend since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The virtual event showcases influential women in Washtenaw County and has named a woman of the year every year since 2009.

Get COVID-19 questions answered this week during two Q&A sessions hosted by the Washtenaw County Health Department.

On Friday, Washtenaw County Health Department officials urged community members to use available strategies to prevent cases of severe illness and reduce transmission.

This was the chance for viewers to have a pretty intimate discussion with State Rep. Debbie Dingell and other leaders about COVID-19.Everyone involved had the chance to really speak their minds on where we are in the pandemic.

The Health Department is offering free, rapid COVID testing on Thursday outside its Ypsilanti offices.

United Way of Washtenaw County has named Washtenaw County Health Department Health Officer Jimena Loveluck as its 2022 Woman of the Year.

In a COVID-19 video update delivered on Wednesday, Loveluck shared news about the ongoing pandemic within the county, which was moved to a “high” level of community transmission.

ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw County Health Department has announced that approximately 1,200 local teachers will get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday. In partnership with Michigan Medicine and IHA, the Health Department is allotting this week’s vaccine supply from the state toward the effort as districts begin to reopen ahead of Gov. “Limited vaccine supplies continue to hamper our local efforts to reach everyone currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination,” Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County Health Department said in a statement. The Board received substantial backlash over its decision at last week’s meeting to rush a vote on staying virtual. “We are grateful for their work with the Governor’s team to resolve the issues that delayed getting vaccines to K-12 staff across Washtenaw County compared to communities across the rest of the state.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department has launched a new COVID-19 vaccine data page to share the county’s weekly vaccination progress with the community. The site will be updated weekly and will help the Health Department and other vaccine providers monitor progress in the area. Screenshot from the Washtenaw County Health Department's new COVID-19 vaccine data page. (Washtenaw County Health Department)“Reliable data are critical for understanding and improving health equity,” Jimena Loveluck, Washtenaw County health officer, said in a statement. Once supplies increase, the page will expand to include the new vaccination site slated to open on the west side of Washtenaw County.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department said Monday it is asking for continued patience while COVID-19 vaccine supplies and providers remain limited. If you are now eligible for vaccination, it does not mean vaccination is immediately available to you, the county said in a news release. At least 80,000 more individuals are now eligible for vaccination locally and starting today. “It’s a tremendous relief to add vaccination to the resources we have to prevent COVID-19 from causing additional harm, but this process will take time,” said Jimena Loveluck, MSW, health officer with Washtenaw County Health Department. Read more: Michigan enters new vaccine phase today: What to knowCoronavirus resources:

ANN ARBOR – Due to an exponential growth in COVID-19 cases in the area, the Washtenaw County Health Department announced Thursday that it is now experiencing delays in contact tracing calls and emails. “Don’t wait for a call from the Health Department," Jimena Loveluck, health officer for Washtenaw County Health Department, said in a statement. All other residents who receive a positive test should follow established guidance and will be contacted as capacity allows. A person is considered contagious 2 days before their symptoms start or before their positive test if they do not have symptoms. The next pop-up testing opportunities are scheduled for Sat, Nov 14 at the Ypsilanti District Library at 5577 Whittaker Road and Sat, Nov 21 at Washtenaw County Health Department at 555 Towner Street.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Health officials have linked 13 positive COVID-19 cases to a popular bar and a restaurant near the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. Officials said anyone who visited the Brown Jug on South University Avenue from Oct. 1 through Oct. 3 or on Oct. 6 should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. RELATED: Washtenaw County Health Department issues public health emergency ordersAnyone who visited Chapala Mexican Restaurant at 211 North Main Street on Oct. 1 might also have been exposed, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department. Health officials have linked 13 positive cases to the two establishments. “In most situations, we can contact individuals exposed to COVID-19 directly,” Washtenaw County health officer Jimena Loveluck said.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department is announcing local emergency public health orders to keep COVID-19 prevention and control strategies in place in the region, given that Michigan Executive Orders are now uncertain. State law provides local health officers with the authority to issue orders to protect the public health under Section 2453 of the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2453). Any violations are subject to citations and penalties as outlined in the Michigan Public Health Code. “We fully support the continuation of these public health measures locally,” says Jason Morgan, Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Resources from Washtenaw County Health DepartmentTo learn more visit washtenaw.org/health or call 734-544-6700.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) has limited the size of outdoor gatherings in residential settings to 25 people for the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. “We are currently seeing a sharp increase in cases among local, college-age individuals,” said Washtenaw County health officer Jimena Loveluck in a press release last week. On Aug. 20, the health department limited social gatherings to 25 people but new updates distinguish between residential and non-residential venues. Restaurants within the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti may continue to operate at 50 percent of their normal capacity. Visit the Washtenaw County Health Department’s COVID-19 dashboard to find resources on testing, symptoms and updates.

YPSILANTI, Mich. From noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, the health departments of Washtenaw County and Livingston County will offer free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at Whitmore Lake Middle School. The testing site is at 8845 Main Street in Whitmore Lake, Michigan, about 10 miles north of downtown Ann Arbor. We know testing continues to be a challenge for many of us, said Washtenaw County health officer Jimena Loveluck in a statement. Those in need of transportation to the testing site can contact Peoples Express by calling 877-214-6073 by 10 a.m. on Friday, or by calling Livingston Essential Transportation Service at 517-490-7615. Find a list of COVID-19 testing centers in Washtenaw County at https://www.washtenaw.org/3158/Testing

ANN ARBOR – The Washtenaw County Health Department has released COVID-19 data broken down by zip code and race. “We know viruses do not discriminate based on location, race, ethnicity, or national origin,” Jimena Loveluck, Health Officer with the Washtenaw County Health Department said in a statement. With twelve percent of Washtenaw County’s population identifying as African American, the Washtenaw County Health Department said the findings stem from a long-existing issue. Those in need of essential resources can call 2-1-1 or view Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development’s list of community services. For the latest COVID-19 updates in Washtenaw County, visit www.washtenaw.org/3108/Cases.