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

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

COVID cases among students and staff on U-M's Ann Arbor campus remain low and stable, reported school officials.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel visited a new drive-thru COVID vaccination site Wednesday in Sterling Heights. The new vaccination site is located in the former Sears automotive center at Lakeside Mall. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesHertel said it’s shots, not shut-downs that are needed to put a dent in the skyrocketing cases of COVID. “We have seen an increase of 118% of cases,” said Macomb County health director Andrew Cox. With no restrictions being put back into place, how high do county health officials think cases need to go before more action is taken?

“It is a race against time with vaccines right now,” said Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel. “Especially with the variant in Michigan.”READ: Whitmer says Michigan plans to combat rising COVID cases with masks, vaccines -- not new restrictionsAdA race against time to vaccinate, but no restrictions coming from the state. How high do cases need to go before the state takes action again?”“We loosened restrictions March 5,” Hertel said. Gretchen Whitmer wants residents to know that restrictions are still in place, even as more and more are vaccinated. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAdLooking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments

DETROIT – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel visited a new drive-thru COVID vaccination site Wednesday in Sterling Heights. She was joined by Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor and members of the City Council. The new vaccination site is located in the former Sears automotive center at Lakeside Mall. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAs Michigan endures another alarming rise in COVID-19 cases, Gov. AdLooking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments

DETROIT – The daily COVID-19 cases in Michigan continue to rise, even as more Michiganders are becoming vaccinated. March 30, 2021: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 665,948; Death toll now at 16,082Lori MacFarlane is one of the latest COVID cases. The owner reported that some staff tested positive Friday and closed the restaurant. “She closed it until Friday.”READ: Dr. Joneigh Khaldun voices concern as COVID cases in Michigan increaseMichigan’s 7-day average of new COVID-19 cases is the highest it’s been since mid-December. “There is so much of it out here right now.”Looking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments

DETROIT – On Sunday, the state of Michigan reported its average pandemic testing positivity rate had hit 14.64% -- the highest single-day percentage since Dec. 2. Some counties are emerging as hot spots, including Macomb, Genesee, Lapeer and St. Clair counties. READ: Dr. Joneigh Khaldun voices concern as COVID cases in Michigan increaseThe latest numbers show more and more people in Michigan are continuing to test positive for COVID. A new survey Tuesday from the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association suggests Michiganders want to get out more, especially to restaurants. READ: Looking for COVID-19 vaccines in Metro Detroit: Track openings, clinics, appointments

DETROIT – Michigan currently has an 11.3% COVID positivity rate, hospitalizations went from 1,404 last week to 2,144 already this week. READ: Detroit expands COVID vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and olderWith those numbers in mind, Duggan is opening up vaccines to Detroiters age 16 and older starting Monday. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun voices concern as COVID cases in Michigan increaseThe Chief Medical Executive of the State of Michigan Dr. Joneigh Khaldun spoke with Local 4 about the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Monday’s update includes a total of 8,202 new covid cases and eight additional deaths over the past two days. On Saturday, the state reported 652,569 total cases and 16,026 deaths.

Michigan health officials have repeatedly said the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests in the state needs to remain below 3% to show that the spread of the virus is under control. As of this weekend, the state’s 7-day moving average for COVID tests positivity rate was 13.21%, far higher than where state health officials want it to be. Michigan’s COVID tests positivity rate has not been below 3% since early October. Gretchen Whitmer noted in an interview with Local 4 that the 3% benchmark will be important in deciding when to lift new COVID restrictions that go into effect this week. Whitmer said the positivity rate will have to fall below 3% during the three-week period of stricter measures to stop the spread before restrictions could be lifted.