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Gov. Whitmer provides update amid Michigan COVID crisis
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer provides update amid Michigan COVID crisisMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Friday morning to provide an update on the stateโs response to the coronavirus pandemic as conditions worsen across the state.
CDC: Restrictions needed to slow Michigan virus surge, specifically in indoor youth sports
Read full article: CDC: Restrictions needed to slow Michigan virus surge, specifically in indoor youth sportsThe director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Michigan -- and other states struggling with increased COVID-19 spread -- to impose restrictions to curb infections.
5-year-old girl who died from COVID honored at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters
Read full article: 5-year-old girl who died from COVID honored at Detroit Public Safety HeadquartersThe Detroit Police and Fire departments came together to do something to keep Skylarโs memory alive for years to come.
Ingham County urges local schools to pause in-person instruction over virus concern
Read full article: Ingham County urges local schools to pause in-person instruction over virus concernThe Ingham County Health Department is urging some schools within the county to avoid in-person learning for one week as coronavirus spread worsens throughout the state.
New restrictions put in place by local hospitals as COVID numbers surge
Read full article: New restrictions put in place by local hospitals as COVID numbers surgeROYAL OAK, Mich. โ Despite the surge of new coronavirus cases, Gov. Beaumont Health reinstated health and safety precautions at all hospital locations in an effort to protect patients, staff and communities amid a surge in coronavirus spread. READ: Beaumont hospitals restore visitor restrictions amid rising COVID casesThe restrictions went into effect 8 a.m. Thursday. They severely restrict visitation in hopes of slowing the wave of new hospitalizations during the new surge. The Michigan Health and Hospital Association said hospitalizations for those aged 30-39 have gone up 633%, and for ages 40-49, hospitalizations have gone up 800%.
Beaumont hospitals restore visitor restrictions amid rising COVID cases
Read full article: Beaumont hospitals restore visitor restrictions amid rising COVID casesVisitor restrictions will resume at all Beaumont Health hospitals starting Thursday as COVID-19 cases rise rapidly in Michigan. โWe have noticed an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases in metro Detroit over the past few weeks,โ said Dr. Nick Gilpin, medical director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology for Beaumont Health. We know that families are critical to the healing process,โ Beaumont Health Chief Nursing Officer Susan Grant, RN, said. Beaumontโs announcement comes as the state of Michigan sees a spike in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations over the last several weeks. More: MHA: Younger age groups driving rise in Michigan COVID-19 hospitalizationsAdThe state of Michigan reported a total of 54,500 active COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, March 23.
University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus houses
Read full article: University of Michigan identifies virus outbreaks at off-campus housesANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Four off-campus residences and one University of Michigan dormitory are reportedly experiencing COVID outbreaks as the greater campus community struggles with virus spread. A new, more contagious coronavirus variant has recently made its way into Michigan -- and so far has spread most significantly within the University of Michigan community. Read: University of Michigan students asked to stay home to curb virus spreadAccording to the University of Michiganโs coronavirus data dashboard, four off-campus, group-living residences are experiencing COVID outbreaks and are under house-wide quarantine. AdAnother worrisome coronavirus variant has also recently been discovered in the U.S. for the first time. Related: Health officials push importance of testing after COVID variant outbreak at University of MichiganAdClick here to visit U-Mโs COVID-19 data dashboard.
11 University of Michigan student athletes test positive for COVID this week, officials say
Read full article: 11 University of Michigan student athletes test positive for COVID this week, officials sayThe University of Michigan Athletic Department says out of 3,215 COVID tests administered within the community this week, 11 student athletes have tested positive. School officials said some of those who tested positive for the B117 variant are people involved in the Athletic Department. It is currently unclear if the 11 U-M students have tested positive for the B117 strain or a different strain. AdSo far, the COVID vaccines currently circulating appear to be effective against the B117 virus strain. MDHHS sent University of Michigan officials a memo explaining our recommendations, but has not issued any orders for the university to take any actions.
Michigan high schools allowed to reopen today as part of revised COVID order
Read full article: Michigan high schools allowed to reopen today as part of revised COVID orderLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan high schools are allowed to resume in-person learning on Monday as a part of Michiganโs revised COVID-19 order issued before the holiday break in December. Indoor venues where people can remain masked and socially distanced -- movie theaters, stadiums, bowling alleys, casinos -- can reopen without food or drink concessions. READ: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopenTotal capacity at those indoor venues will be capped at 100. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person.
When can we realistically expect schools to reopen?
Read full article: When can we realistically expect schools to reopen?DETROIT โ There could be some good news on the horizon in terms of reopening schools and getting back to normal. During a Harvard webinar, Dr. Anthony Fauci told a group that transmission in schools is lower than originally thought. Read: Michigan high schools allowed to reopen today as part of revised COVID orderโWhen you look at it, the number of children getting it is less than you would have expected, which is good news for keeping the children in school,โ Fauci said. โIf it spreads in the school, the kids brings it home, parent brings it to work and spreads it there,โ Sims said. โWe have teachers who are ill, teachers quarantined from home and thereโs a substitute shortage,โ Roberts said.
2020 is over: When can we realistically expect things to improve?
Read full article: 2020 is over: When can we realistically expect things to improve?As the vaccine rollout continues, many people are excited that 2020 is finally in the past. While that doesnโt mean coronavirus disappeared at midnight, experts are weighing in when itโs realistic to expect things to get back to normal. He said mask wearing, social distancing and other precautions will stay in place until at least 70% of the population is vaccinated. Those things will affect how long it takes to reach broad public immunity.โThe same thoughts are held on a national level too. Dr. Anthony Fauci said masks, social distancing and other precautions will have to stay in place until the majority of people are vaccinated.
Virus spread still rampant in most states at yearโs end, data shows
Read full article: Virus spread still rampant in most states at yearโs end, data showsA screenshot of Covid Act Now's map of the U.S. with states color-coded according to their "Covid Risk Level." Oregon, Vermont and Washington are the only three states โat risk of an outbreak,โ which is considered the high risk level. Throughout October and November, the stateโs risk level consistently trended in an adverse direction as the virus spread more rapidly than in previous months. A screenshot of Covid Act Now's map of the U.S. with states color-coded according to their "Covid Risk Level." A screenshot of Covid Act Now's map of all U.S. counties color-coded according to their "Covid Risk Level."
Looking back at 110 stories that define Gov. Whitmerโs handling of COVID-19 in Michigan this year
Read full article: Looking back at 110 stories that define Gov. Whitmerโs handling of COVID-19 in Michigan this yearIn promulgating Executive Order 2020-69 and Executive Order 2020-70, the Governor has done just that by placing restrictions on certain activities to limit social interactions. โGood news, sports fans: We are now ready to gradually and safely allow professional sports to resume in Michigan,โ Whitmer said. July 14: State of emergency extendedWhitmer extended the Michigan state of emergency until Aug. 11 as COVID-19 cases rose across the state. The five-year lending, investment and philanthropic plan aimed to help improve financial opportunities for Michigan businesses, consumers and communities. Dec. 29: Relief bill, unemployment extensionWhitmer signed a $106 million relief bill and also extended COVID-19 unemployment benefits through March 2021.
Here are the new COVID-19 vaccine priority phases for distribution in Michigan
Read full article: Here are the new COVID-19 vaccine priority phases for distribution in MichiganLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials revealed a new list of priority phases for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated the phases for essential workers and residents at high risk of severe infection. The recommended guidelines for phases 1B and 1C of vaccine distribution were updated Sunday (Dec. 20) to try to balance prevention and societal function. This data is being tracked on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard. The COVID-19 vaccine will require two doses, separated by three or four weeks, depending on the manufacturer.
10 most-read COVID related stories on All About Ann Arbor in 2020
Read full article: 10 most-read COVID related stories on All About Ann Arbor in 2020The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic kept the community on edge and gave us plenty to write about -- not all of it good, and not all of it bad. READ: 10 most-read All About Ann Arbor stories of 2020 that werenโt COVID relatedHereโs a look back at the 10 most-read COVID related All About Ann Arbor stories in 2020:1. Experts project aggressive social distancing could drastically reduce Michigan COVID-19 cases by MayFrom March: Michigan Medicine clinicians said forecasting models suggested that aggressive social distancing could drastically reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan by early May. Washtenaw County: COVID-19 cases double, community spread โnow likelyโFrom March: On Thursday, March 19, the number of COVID-19 cases in the county doubled to 14, according to the Health Department. VIEW: Possible Washtenaw County coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure locationsFrom March: Health officials released a list of possible exposure locations that had been visited by residents of Oakland and Washtenaw counties who had the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Wayne County hands out $500 gift cards to restaurant, service workers affected by pandemic
Read full article: Wayne County hands out $500 gift cards to restaurant, service workers affected by pandemicโBut it doesnโt make any sense because Iโm not working now.โHinkley visited Eastern Market Wednesday to pick up a debit card from the Wayne County Cares Program. โThis is kind of what I would call Wayne County stimulus package, since the feds havenโt been able to figure out how to get it done,โ said Wayne County executive Warren Evans. The money is being given to 12,000 Wayne County residents whose jobs have been impacted by the pandemic. In addition to the Wayne County Cares program, the county devoted resources to support local small businesses and local nonprofits. More information can be found on the Wayne County Cares official website here.
Michigan will not release daily COVID-19 data on 4 upcoming holidays
Read full article: Michigan will not release daily COVID-19 data on 4 upcoming holidaysLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials will not release the number of daily COVID-19 cases or deaths on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Yearโs Eve or New Yearโs Day, the state announced. On Wednesday (Dec. 23), Michigan announced 3,443 new COVID-19 cases and 70 additional deaths, bringing the state totals to 469,928 cases and 11,775 deaths. The next update wonโt come until Saturday (Dec. 26), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced. โWe wanted to give MDHHS staff some time off during the holidays,โ MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. The same will be true after New Yearโs Day, with new numbers being posted Jan. 2 and Jan. 4.
5 Michigan businesses fined for COVID-19 safety violations -- Hereโs what state says they did
Read full article: 5 Michigan businesses fined for COVID-19 safety violations -- Hereโs what state says they did(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)Five Michigan businesses have been fined for violating COVID-19 safety rules and putting workers at risk, state officials said. Here are the five businesses, including how much they were fined and what the violations entailed. Not developing and enforcing policies and procedures for employees to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID19. Reason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document. Not posting signs at the store entranceReason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document.
Gov. Whitmer hints at possibility of resuming indoor dining at Michigan restaurants
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer hints at possibility of resuming indoor dining at Michigan restaurantsMichigan restaurants are still fighting to resume indoor dining, which is banned by the stateโs COVID-19 order, but Gov. Related stories :Whitmer said she wants to reopen restaurants as soon as she can, but the industry has been on the wrong end of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Servicesโ restrictions. The owner of Century Bowl, in Waterford Township, said the shutdown order on food and alcohol services at many venues is misguided. Bowling alleys, casinos and other entertainment venues were allowed to reopen Monday, but they canโt serve food or drink concessions. READ: Whitmer commutes sentences for 4 men serving decades in prison for nonviolent crimesPeople arenโt allowed to bowl with anyone other than their families.
MDHHS using 2 โcore, science-based ideasโ to decide what should reopen, remain closed in Michigan
Read full article: MDHHS using 2 โcore, science-based ideasโ to decide what should reopen, remain closed in MichiganMichiganโs top health director revealed the two โcore, science-based ideasโ experts are using to decide what should be allowed to reopen and what should remain closed due to COVID-19 in the state. Gretchen Whitmer and MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun on Friday to announce an updated COVID-19 order that reopened some venues but extended restrictions on others. As part of the new order, certain entertainment venues that had been closed for the last month can reopen with limited capacity. Restaurants arenโt allowed to resume indoor dining. Gordon said the latest MDHHS order is โbased on settled science and Michigan values.โโWe are cautiously moving to address other activities based on two core, science-based values,โ Gordon said.
Michigan will โseriously considerโ lifting COVID restrictions early, depending on progress
Read full article: Michigan will โseriously considerโ lifting COVID restrictions early, depending on progressMichiganโs new COVID-19 order went into effect Monday and is scheduled to last through mid-January, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state will โseriously considerโ lifting protocols sooner if recent progress is sustained. As part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Servicesโ new COVID-19 order, certain entertainment venues that had been closed for the last month can reopen with limited capacity. But during Fridayโs announcement, Whitmer said the state would consider lifting restrictions sooner if the metrics continue in the right direction. โThis new order expires on Jan. 15, but if we substantially sustain our progress, we will seriously consider lifting protocols sooner,โ Whitmer said.
โAngryโ Whitmer demands to know why Michigan has only received fraction of COVID-19 vaccine doses
Read full article: โAngryโ Whitmer demands to know why Michigan has only received fraction of COVID-19 vaccine dosesโWhere are our doses?โ Whitmer asked during the briefing. Iโm angry because this virus is raging on in this country.โThe governor admitted sheโs angry about the distribution of the vaccine. Health care workers at the University of Michigan Hospital began receiving the first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 14. But on Friday, Whitmer challenged the White House, demanding to know more about the doses Michigan had already planned to receive. RELATED: Michigan Republicans โcondemnโ decision to keep many businesses closed through holidaysShe said there are millions of doses of the Pfizer vaccine waiting to be shipped, including in Portage, Michigan.
Michigan outlines 3 key COVID metrics that must decline for state to reopen, and why they matter
Read full article: Michigan outlines 3 key COVID metrics that must decline for state to reopen, and why they matterMichigan officials have outlined three key COVID-19 metrics that need to decline before the state can continue to reopen safely. COVID-19 case rate is the second metric. Thatโs the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per million residents in the state. Positivity rate measures whether the state could be missing cases in the community. The Jackson Region has the highest case rate, at 589, and the Traverse City Region is the lowest, at 357.
Michiganโs new COVID-19 order now in effect: Hereโs whatโs reopened and whatโs still closed
Read full article: Michiganโs new COVID-19 order now in effect: Hereโs whatโs reopened and whatโs still closedMichiganโs new COVID-19 order is officially in effect, so here is what reopened Monday, as well as what remains closed. MORE ON RESTRICTIONS :The revised order is in effect through Jan. 15. ReopeningThe updated restrictions allowed many entertainment venues to reopen with limited capacity. Groups are limited to single households of up to six people, MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. โThere will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,โ Gordon said.
Michigan movie theaters, casinos, bowling alleys to reopen Monday
Read full article: Michigan movie theaters, casinos, bowling alleys to reopen MondayMORE: Hereโs everything thatโs reopening under Michiganโs revised COVID-19 orderโI think this is a glass half full situation,โ said Emagine Entertainmentโs Chairman and co-founder, Paul Glantz. After weeks of having to abruptly shut down, Emagine theaters -- along with other businesses -- will finally be able to reopen its doors. โNow weโre not allowed to offer our guests food and beverage items, so there will be no concession sales,โ Glantz said. And until then his business will continue to follow and practice the procedures necessary to keep movie goers safe. When will Michigan restaurants be allowed to reopen after the most recent shutdown due to COVID-19?
Lake Orion restaurant opens indoor dining despite COVID-19 restrictions
Read full article: Lake Orion restaurant opens indoor dining despite COVID-19 restrictionsLAKE ORION, Mich. โ Michigan has loosened COVID-19 restrictions for several indoor venues, including casinos, bowling alleys and movie theaters, but indoor dining at restaurants is still not allowed. โThere will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,โ Gordon said. Gretchen Whitmer laid out the science behind the ban in November, where she cited multiple studies that showed an increase in the spread of COVID-19 and indoor dining. โItโs not the restaurantโs fault. โIf you feel comfortable coming in here, who are you do say no when you can go to all these other places?โ Luchkovitc said.
Gov. Whitmer slams vaccine distribution, plans high school to return to in-person learning
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer slams vaccine distribution, plans high school to return to in-person learningGretchen Whitmer announced the state is revising its COVID-19 order to resume in-person high school classes, reopen certain indoor entertainment venues and allow non-contact outdoor sports and fitness classes. After her friend Wayne County sheriff Benny Napoleon died from COVID-19, Whitmer said when it comes the vaccine distribution is bottlenecked due to Washington. โMy frustration level is high because in Portage there are vaccines ready to be distributed,โ Whitmer said. In person learning at high school can resume. However, restaurants and bars will remain closed since patrons need to remove masks to eat or drink.
Michigan Republicans โcondemnโ decision to keep many businesses closed through holidays
Read full article: Michigan Republicans โcondemnโ decision to keep many businesses closed through holidaysLANSING, Mich. โ Minutes after the state announced updated COVID-19 restrictions, Michigan Republicans released a statement โcondemningโ the decision to keep many businesses closed through the holidays. Michigan Gov. While some indoor venues where people can wear masks and maintain social distancing will be allowed to reopen, other parts of the economy -- most notably indoor dining at restaurants -- are still banned. READ: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopenโI am happy to see that Gov. However, officials would be willing to consider lifting more restrictions before Jan. 15 if Michigan makes enough progress, Whitmer said.
COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopen
Read full article: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopen(Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan has loosened COVID-19 restrictions for several indoor venues, including casinos, bowling alleys and movie theaters, but indoor dining at restaurants is still not allowed. In fact, the updated order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services didnโt change the restrictions on restaurants at all. FROM TUESDAY: When could Michigan restaurants reopen? โThere will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,โ Gordon said. Since dining at restaurants requires people from different households to remove their masks in the same area, itโs inherently risky, Gordon and Gov.
Hereโs everything thatโs reopening under Michiganโs revised COVID-19 order
Read full article: Hereโs everything thatโs reopening under Michiganโs revised COVID-19 orderLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan updated its COVID-19 restrictions Friday, reopening certain parts of the state as metrics across the state improve. Gretchen Whitmer said the state would consider lifting protocols sooner if the state makes substantial progress toward slowing the spread of COVID-19. Hereโs a look at whatโs reopening:Indoor venuesCertain indoor venues where people can remain masked and socially distanced can reopen without food or drink concessions. Total capacity at those indoor venues will be capped at 100. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with.
Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venues
Read full article: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesGretchen Whitmer announced the state is revising its COVID-19 order to resume in-person high school classes, reopen certain indoor entertainment venues and allow non-contact outdoor sports and fitness classes. Indoor venues where people can remain masked and socially distanced -- movie theaters, stadiums, bowling alleys, casinos -- can reopen without food or drink concessions. READ: COVID-19 restrictions stay the same for Michigan restaurants as other venues prepare to reopenTotal capacity at those indoor venues will be capped at 100. MDHHS continues to urge families to avoid indoor gatherings or to pick a single other household to interact with. And as always: mask up, practice safe social distancing, and avoid indoor gatherings where COVID-19 can easily spread from person to person.
Everything you should know about COVID-19 in Michigan on Friday (Dec. 18)
Read full article: Everything you should know about COVID-19 in Michigan on Friday (Dec. 18)UPDATE: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesREFRESHER: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs last COVID-19 briefing (Tuesday)Click here to watch Whitmerโs Friday briefing live. Since winter has arrived, most Michigan restaurants arenโt able to serve customers in any sit-down capacity. Vaccine movementThe first group of Michigan health care workers received their first doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. Most recent numbersMichigan reported 4,024 new COVID-19 cases and 190 additional deaths Thursday, including 125 deaths from a Vital Records review. More storiesHereโs the complete coverage from Tuesdayโs COVID-19 briefing:
Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on Michiganโs response to COVID-19
Read full article: Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on Michiganโs response to COVID-19LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Friday on the stateโs response to COVID-19. UPDATE: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesThe state has been under a โpauseโ that placed stricter COVID-19 regulations on restaurants, schools and more, but that order is scheduled to expire Sunday (Dec. 20). You can watch the full briefing in the video posted above. On Friday, Whitmer was be joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as MDHHS Director Robert Gordon.
How close are we to getting a second vaccine out?
Read full article: How close are we to getting a second vaccine out?The FDAโs vaccine advisory panel voted Thursday to recommend the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use authorization. The panel of independent experts has been reviewing the safety, efficacy and implications of recommending the second vaccine. The favorable vote from the panel clears the path for Modernaโs vaccine to become the second approved for use in the United States. Moderna had the advantage of watching the FDAโs review of the Pfizer vaccine and came prepared to answer the anticipated questions. More than 25% of Modernaโs volunteers are health care workers who are now eligible to get Pfizerโs vaccine.
9 major takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing
Read full article: 9 major takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefingModerna vaccine expected soonWhitmer said she expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week. โOver the weekend, the first shipments of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine left Portage, Michigan,โ Whitmer said. Vaccine factsKhaldun took a deep dive into COVID-19 vaccine facts Tuesday, including how effective the vaccines are, when everyone can expect to receive them and potential side effects. Vaccine scamsNessel outlined four specific types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in the state and explained how theyโre targeting residents. โIn the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,โ Whitmer said.
When could Michigan restaurants reopen? Why are they still shut down while other places arenโt?
Read full article: When could Michigan restaurants reopen? Why are they still shut down while other places arenโt?LANSING, Mich. โ When will Michigan restaurants be allowed to reopen after the most recent shutdown due to COVID-19? Why are restaurants still closed while other types of places are allowed to remain open? Right now, restaurants are limited to carry-out and delivery orders, as indoor dining is shut down through at least Dec. 20. They feel COVID-19 restrictions are inconsistent, with people allowed to go to malls or grocery stores, but not restaurants. โThere is a ban on indoor dining, and I think that to the extent that these restaurants are seeing that happen in other realms -- that is unfortunate,โ Whitmer said.
4 types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in Michigan and how they work
Read full article: 4 types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in Michigan and how they workLANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs attorney general outlined four specific types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in the state and explained how theyโre targeting residents. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15Attorney General Dana Nessel joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during Tuesdayโs briefing to warn Michiganders about scammers looking to capitalize on the COVID-19 vaccine excitement. โFake vaccine treatments, test kits and clinical trials are just some of those examples of what scammers are going to be putting out there,โ she said. Michigan expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week.
17 important COVID-19 vaccine facts from Michiganโs top health official
Read full article: 17 important COVID-19 vaccine facts from Michiganโs top health officialLANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top health official took a deep dive into COVID-19 vaccine facts Tuesday, including how effective the vaccines are, when everyone can expect to receive them and potential side effects. Gretchen Whitmer expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is 95% effective, and is safe. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has been tested in trials, including tens of thousands of people. Residents have to return for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine three weeks after the first dose.
3 key metrics all reveal positive COVID-19 trends in Michigan
Read full article: 3 key metrics all reveal positive COVID-19 trends in MichiganLANSING, Mich. โ Three of the most important COVID-19 metrics are showing positive signs that Michigan is heading in the right direction, the stateโs chief medical executive said. Michigan is currently at 560 cases per million people, a number that has been trending downward for 22 straight days, Khaldun said. Case rates for all eight geographical regions are on the decline, she said. Overall, 18.5% of hospital beds in the state have COVID-19 patients in them, which has also declined, according to Khaldun. The percentage of statewide COVID-19 tests that are coming back positive is down to 12.3%, Khaldun said.
Michigan governor again asks for permanent extension of unemployment benefits due to COVID-19
Read full article: Michigan governor again asks for permanent extension of unemployment benefits due to COVID-19Gretchen Whitmer is asking state lawmakers for a permanent extension of unemployment benefits due to COVID-19. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15FROM DEC. 1: Whitmer wants Michigan Legislature to pass permanent extension of unemployment benefitsThe governor took aim at the Republican-led state legislature during her Tuesday (Dec. 15) COVID-19 briefing, urging them to take action on a number of issues, including bipartisan COVID-19 restrictions, unemployment benefits and a $100 million stimulus plan. โI also need them to remember to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits,โ Whitmer said. โI appreciate the Senateโs expansion of unemployment benefits to 26 weeks, through March, but we really need to work together to pass a permanent extension to protect the countless Michiganders and their livelihoods.โWhitmer said thousands of Michiganders are in danger of losing benefits at the end of the year. Lawmakers didnโt approve of Whitmerโs emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldnโt be able to make such decisions without their approval.
Whitmer โready to signโ $100 million stimulus plan for Michigan families, businesses hurt by COVID-19
Read full article: Whitmer โready to signโ $100 million stimulus plan for Michigan families, businesses hurt by COVID-19Gretchen Whitmer says she is ready to sign a $100 million economic stimulus plan to help families and small businesses struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. โYesterday, I sent another letter to the Legislature, urging them to work with me on priorities like $100 million in COVID-19 relief,โ Whitmer said. โThere are people out there who have spent a lifetime building up their small businesses,โ Whitmer said. โWe here in Michigan have got to step up and take action,โ Whitmer said. Lawmakers didnโt approve of Whitmerโs emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldnโt be able to make such decisions without their approval.
Gov. Whitmer: 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19 since I sent letter to legislators
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer: 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19 since I sent letter to legislatorsLANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs governor continues to push for bipartisan support of COVID-19 restrictions, saying 2,000 residents have died from the virus since she sent a letter to legislators three weeks ago. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15Gov. โIn the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,โ Whitmer said. We cannot afford to wait any longer.โTension between Whitmer and the Republican-led Legislature has existed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers didnโt approve of Whitmerโs emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldnโt be able to make such decisions without their approval.
Which COVID-19 vaccine should you take once both are approved: Pfizer or Moderna?
Read full article: Which COVID-19 vaccine should you take once both are approved: Pfizer or Moderna?Gretchen Whitmer expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week -- so which of the two should people get? READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15The governor spoke about vaccines during her Tuesday briefing. โOver the weekend, the first shipments of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine left Portage, Michigan,โ Whitmer said. โIn the next week, we expect the Moderna vaccine to be approved. It doesnโt matter which -- the Pfizer or the Moderna, or maybe others that will come online.
Whitmer says Michiganโs increased COVID-19 restrictions are working: โWe are making progressโ
Read full article: Whitmer says Michiganโs increased COVID-19 restrictions are working: โWe are making progressโGretchen Whitmer believes the stateโs stricter COVID-19 rules, which were extended into next week, are successfully slowing the spread of the virus. It is working.โWhitmer said the stateโs number of COVID-19 cases is decreasing, and that the dip correlates with the day the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued its three-week โpause.โโSimply put, what weโre doing is working,โ Whitmer said. High school and college classes were shifted to fully remote formats and most entertainment venues were shuttered for the pause. On Dec. 7, the pause was extended an additional 12 days -- until Dec. 20 -- so officials could gauge the impact of the Thanksgiving holiday. Michigan reported 4,730 new COVID-19 cases and 183 additional deaths (71 from a Vital Records review) on Tuesday, bringing the state totals to 442,715 cases and 10,935 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
New tool tells Michigan residents how likely they are to get COVID-19, how severe case could be
Read full article: New tool tells Michigan residents how likely they are to get COVID-19, how severe case could beThe Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched โCV19 CheckUpโ -- a free, anonymous tool that evaluates someoneโs risks associated with COVID-19. Click here to visit the CV19 CheckUp tool online. Travis said the tool can be used by all Michigan residents, but itโs specifically designed to help adults 60 and older. The tool used artificial intelligence to analyze each person through an online questionnaire. โCV19 CheckUp was developed to fill an urgent public need,โ said Jim Firman, chief innovation officer at BellAge.
Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 cases, response in Michigan
Read full article: Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 cases, response in MichiganLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the stateโs response to COVID-19 and the efforts to slow the spread of the virus. READ: 9 major takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmerโs COVID-19 briefingDr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined Whitmer. Nessel revealed on Twitter that she is joining Whitmer to discuss COVID-19 vaccine scams.
8 ways Michigan is trying to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 in prisons, according to governor
Read full article: 8 ways Michigan is trying to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 in prisons, according to governorLANSING, Mich. โ COVID-19 is spreading rapidly among inmates inside Michigan prisons, but the governor outlined eight specific ways the state is trying to combat that spread. She said this is an issue her administration takes โvery seriously.โ State officials are working with the Department of Corrections to try to make the prisons more safe from the virus. READ: Governor responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopeningHere are eight ways Michigan is trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in prisons, according to Whitmer:Inmates are required to wear masks, practice social distancing and utilize proper hygienic protocols. Wayne State University provides doctors that serve as the head of MDCโs clinical COVID-19 response. MDC leadership has regular meetings with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to learn more about the virus.
9 Michigan businesses violate COVID-19 safety rules -- Hereโs what state says they did wrong
Read full article: 9 Michigan businesses violate COVID-19 safety rules -- Hereโs what state says they did wrongNine Michigan businesses have been fined for violating COVID-19 safety rules and putting workers at risk, state officials said. โThe employer was also cited for an other-than-serious record keeping violation.โReason for inspection: Employee complaintClick here to view the full citation document. Not training employees on the steps the employees must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 employees on COVID-19. Reason for inspection: COVID-19 Retail State Emphasis ProgramClick here to view the full citation document. River City Reproductions and GraphicsLocation: KentwoodFine amount: $2,100Violations:Lack of a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan.
Whitmer on possible extension of COVID-19 restrictions: โBottom line is, do the people do their part?โ
Read full article: Whitmer on possible extension of COVID-19 restrictions: โBottom line is, do the people do their part?โGretchen Whitmer said when considering whether or not the three-week COVID-19 restrictions need to be extended, the bottom line is: โDo the people do their part?โFrom Nov. 18 through Dec. 8, Michigan is under tightened COVID-19 rules. In addition to those restrictions from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order, health officials are asking Michiganders to wear masks, practice social distancing and wash hands frequently. โWe could all do our part right now and take this incredible seriously,โ Whitmer said. There is hope that stems from slowly declining case rates and positive momentum for a COVID-19 vaccine. While thereโs a great deal of hope, Michigan is also in a โreally dangerous moment,โ Whitmer said.
Will Michiganโs 3-week COVID-19 order be extended? If so, when will it be announced?
Read full article: Will Michiganโs 3-week COVID-19 order be extended? If so, when will it be announced?LANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs three-week COVID-19 order is in effect for four more days, but will it be extended beyond the original expiration date? Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday during her COVID-19 briefing. She called this month and next month possible spreading events. READ: Governor responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopeningState officials are working with health systems to understand the severity of the current COVID-19 trends. Every health system in the state has seen growth in hospitalizations compared to a month ago, Whitmer said.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer says all elected officials should disclose if they have positive COVID-19 test
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer says all elected officials should disclose if they have positive COVID-19 testGretchen Whitmer believes any elected officials who tests positive for COVID-19 should reveal that information. During Thursdayโs COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked about COVID-19 diagnoses among state lawmakers. โI think all elected officials, in particular, should make the same exact commitment (to disclose positive tests),โ Whitmer said. READ: Governor responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopeningโIf I should take a COVID-19 test that comes back positive, I would absolutely disclose it,โ Whitmer said. Whitmer said she has heard there are โquite a fewโ lawmakers who have COVID-19, and believes it should be a policy to share that information.
Michiganโs top health official explains increased risk of COVID-19 for Black residents
Read full article: Michiganโs top health official explains increased risk of COVID-19 for Black residentsLANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top health official explained Thursday why Black residents have seen such a disproportionate risk of COVID-19 infection. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, spoke Thursday during Gov. โItโs really about exposure and what jobs people are doing and what resources they have. Maybe they didnโt have a car and they needed to share rides. โSo itโs really about exposure and equity when it comes to why weโve seen these disparities.โ
3 positive signs that Michiganโs COVID-19 circumstances are improving right now
Read full article: 3 positive signs that Michiganโs COVID-19 circumstances are improving right nowLANSING, Mich. โ COVID-19 case and death rates are still too high in Michigan, but there are three positive signs that the stateโs circumstances are improving, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. But there are a few positive signs, too, she said. Here are the three circumstances she pointed to as positive signs for the future:Shortened quarantine lengthSlowly declining case rateVaccine progressโThis month is already very promising,โ Khaldun said. We are seeing signs that the case rate is slowing over the past couple of weeks, and vaccines are coming very soon. The case rate is โstill seeing a slight decline in the rate of new cases over the past 13 days,โ according to Khaldun.
COVID-19 vaccine could become available as early as Dec. 15, Michigan health official says
Read full article: COVID-19 vaccine could become available as early as Dec. 15, Michigan health official saysLANSING, Mich. โ A COVID-19 vaccine could become available as early as Dec. 15, according to the top health official in the state of Michigan. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, spoke Thursday about the progress health officials have made toward a vaccine that can be distributed to the public. โWeโre working directly with our hospitals, local health departments and other partners to plan for when a COVID-19 vaccine will become available, which we expect to be as early as Dec. 15,โ Khaldun said. โThis is really exciting, and I want people to be, right now, thinking about their plans for getting the vaccine when it becomes available to them.โClick here to view a timeline of when the COVID-19 vaccine could be available to Michiganโs general public. โAs more supply becomes available, eventually, the general public will be able to get the vaccine, as well,โ Khaldun said.
CDC releases new, shortened quarantine options for certain COVID-19 exposure
Read full article: CDC releases new, shortened quarantine options for certain COVID-19 exposureLANSING, Mich. โ Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the recommended quarantine length has been 14 days, but now, health experts have released a new, shortened quarantine option for certain instances. This week, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention released new data based on analysis of hundreds of thousands of cases. Experts found 99% of COVID-19 cases will become infectious or develop symptoms within 10 days of exposure. Khaldun said a 14-day quarantine is still โthe gold standard,โ but health officials will also have the option to allow people who have not developed symptoms to be released from quarantine after 10 days. โSo if youโve had no symptoms after exposure for 10 days, then you can be removed from quarantine,โ Khaldun said.
Here are the top 6 types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in Michigan
Read full article: Here are the top 6 types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in MichiganLANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top health official revealed the top six types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in the state during Thursdayโs briefing. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, spoke Thursday during Gov. โWe are also still identifying many outbreaks across the state,โ Khaldun said. Cases positivity rates in the regions range from 8.5% to 15%, and 81% of ICU beds are full. State officials are working with hospitals to make sure they have what they need to deal with the COVID-19 demand.
Gov. Whitmer urges residents not to travel for holidays but โgreat hope is on the horizonโ
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer urges residents not to travel for holidays but โgreat hope is on the horizonโGretchen Whitmer will extend the โpause.โWhitmer said sheโs working with Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and other health experts to examine options. In a press conference Thursday, Whitmer said she is concerned about the amount of Thanksgiving travel and how likely that would impact Michigan hospitals. โSo we really are encouraging people not to travel for Christmas and start figuring out how to use Zoom to stay close,โ Whitmer said. Despite the dire predictions of a sombre holiday season, Whitmer is encouraged by the promise of vaccines that could be available to Michiganders mid-December. โThere is great, great hope on the horizon,โ Whitmer said.
Everything you should know about COVID-19 in Michigan before Whitmerโs Thursday (Dec. 3) briefing
Read full article: Everything you should know about COVID-19 in Michigan before Whitmerโs Thursday (Dec. 3) briefingWhitmer will be joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Michigan Lt. Gov. As of Wednesday (Dec. 2), Michigan had reported 373,197 COVID-19 cases and 9,405 deaths. On Wednesday afternoon, Michigan reported 6,955 new COVID-19 cases and 81 additional deaths, bringing the state totals up to 373,197 cases and 9,405 deaths. Michigan health officials have said itโs extremely difficult to contact trace outbreaks in restaurants because of the short duration a patron may spend inside. Michigan football shuts downMichigan football has canceled this weekendโs game against Maryland due to COVID-19 concerns within the Wolverinesโ program.
Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in Michigan
Read full article: Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in MichiganLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Thursday on the stateโs handling of COVID-19. Whitmer was joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Michigan Lt. Gov. Michigan is currently in the latter third of a three-week โpauseโ that shut down indoor dining at restaurants, in-person classes for colleges and high schools, and much more. As of Wednesday (Dec. 2), Michigan had reported 373,197 COVID-19 cases and 9,405 deaths.
Whitmer responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopening for indoor dining
Read full article: Whitmer responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopening for indoor diningGretchen Whitmer responded Tuesday to restaurant owners who are considering defying state COVID-19 regulations and reopening for indoor dining if the order is extended beyond three weeks. We are stronger if we stand together and use our strength of fight back.โโShe decided to close restaurants, again. Hereโs what she said in response to the question:โYou know, let me just say this: I understand the frustration. โAnd yet, we know that this virus has taken the lives of over 9,000 people in Michigan. So many of us know someone whoโs died or is struggling with COVID-19 or struggling with COVID-19 months after theyโve had it.
Whitmer says indoor dining at restaurants has โall the different ingredientsโ for COVID-19 risk
Read full article: Whitmer says indoor dining at restaurants has โall the different ingredientsโ for COVID-19 riskGretchen Whitmer said indoor dining at restaurants has โall the different ingredientsโ for increased COVID-19 risk. During the governorโs COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Local 4โฒs Mara MacDonald asked what it would take for restaurants to be allowed to reopen for indoor dining. Right now, Michigan is in the middle of a three-week โpauseโ that, among other restrictions, limits restaurants to delivery, take-out and outdoor dining. But Whitmer stood by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order, arguing restaurants have the potential to contribute to the spread of COVID-19. โThatโs just, unfortunately, all the different ingredients for a higher risk situation.โWhitmer said thatโs why the MDHHS order targeted places that involve people from different households being inside together.
What Gov. Whitmer said about chance of Michiganโs stricter COVID-19 rules extending past 3 weeks
Read full article: What Gov. Whitmer said about chance of Michiganโs stricter COVID-19 rules extending past 3 weeksLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have implemented stricter COVID-19 regulations for three weeks, but will the order be extended beyond that timeframe? MORE: Here are 14 changes in effect under Michiganโs new COVID-19 restrictionsOn Tuesday, during her COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked whether thereโs been any talk of extending the pause. โAt this point in time, itโs really too early to say precisely where we will be in a few days, much less next week,โ Whitmer said. The top priority is to make sure the health system and medical employees are able to keep up with the number of COVID-19 cases, Whitmer said. โThat will inform any decision going forward.โMichigan coronavirus data: Tracking case count, cases by county, deaths, cases by age, tests
Timeline of when Michigan officials hope to have COVID-19 vaccine available to general public
Read full article: Timeline of when Michigan officials hope to have COVID-19 vaccine available to general publicLANSING, Mich. โ Michiganโs top health official provided a rough timeline of when she hopes a COVID-19 vaccine could be available to the stateโs general public. MORE: Here are 14 changes in effect under Michiganโs new COVID-19 restrictionsโWe are still working hard on planning for when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available,โ Khaldun said. โWe are actively working on plans for distribution when these vaccines become available,โ Khaldun said. Hopeful vaccine distribution timelineWhen Michigan first receives the vaccine, it will be in very limited quantities, she said. โWe hope to be able to have vaccine available to the general public by late spring,โ Khaldun said.
Michiganโs COVID-19 numbers slowly trending in right direction, top health official says
Read full article: Michiganโs COVID-19 numbers slowly trending in right direction, top health official saysLANSING, Mich. โ Two of the most common measures of COVID-19 spread in Michigan are showing the state is slowly starting to move in the right direction again, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. She said both the case rate and test positivity rate are slightly improving. โOverall, our case rate is now at 608 cases per million people, and has been declining for the past week,โ Khaldun said. Khaldun said case rates are above 500 cases per million people in every Michigan region, except for the Traverse City Region. โWe will continue to watch these trends, as we have throughout the pandemic, and case rates and test positivity,โ she said.
Governor urges Michigan residents to support local businesses during holiday shopping season
Read full article: Governor urges Michigan residents to support local businesses during holiday shopping seasonGretchen Whitmer is urging residents to support local businesses during the holiday season as many of them struggle to survive due to COVID-19 shutdowns. READ: Here are 14 changes in effect under Michiganโs new COVID-19 restrictionsAs the holiday shopping season rolls around, Whitmer urged Michiganders to keep those businesses in mind. โAs we head into the holiday season, I want to remind all Michiganders: If you are shopping for loved ones or friends or neighbors, strongly consider supporting businesses in your community,โ Whitmer said. On Black Friday, Metro Detroiters stressed to Local 4 how critical the holiday season will be for their businesses to survive. โThere are a number of ways that we can support local businesses this season and stay safe,โ Whitmer said.
Whitmer wants Michigan Legislature to pass permanent extension of unemployment benefits
Read full article: Whitmer wants Michigan Legislature to pass permanent extension of unemployment benefitsGretchen Whitmer wants the state Legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits as residents continue to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. โI also urged the Legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits,โ Whitmer said. โJust yesterday, they invited the Republican colleagues to join forces with them to protect unemployed Michiganders,โ Whitmer said. Michigan looks to overhaul unemployment officeThe state of Michigan is looking to overhaul its unemployment office after the directorโs sudden resignation. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Michigan unemployment office has worked through significant issues.
Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in Michigan
Read full article: Live stream: Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in MichiganLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the stateโs handling of COVID-19. READ: What to know about COVID-19 in Michigan ahead of Gov. Michigan is currently in the middle of a three-week โpauseโ that shut down indoor dining at restaurants, in-person classes for colleges and high schools, and much more. As of Monday (Nov. 30), Michigan had reported 360,449 total COVID-19 cases and 9,134 deaths.
Mayor Mike Duggan aims to vaccinate 5,000 Detroiters a day
Read full article: Mayor Mike Duggan aims to vaccinate 5,000 Detroiters a dayDETROIT โ Mayor Mike Duggan spoke Sunday about how a coronavirus vaccine will be rolled out in Michiganโs largest city. He said he is making sure every Detroiter gets the vaccine will be harder than making sure thereโs enough tests for everyone. โWeโre looking now at the reality that when we were testing 1,200 people a day, it was a major undertaking. READ: Dr. Fauci: US may see โsurge upon surgeโ of virus this winterDuggan said it will still take a while to get the city fully vaccinated. High priority also may be given to workers in essential industries, people with certain medical conditions and people age 65 and older.
Dr. Fauci: US may see โsurge upon surgeโ of virus this winter
Read full article: Dr. Fauci: US may see โsurge upon surgeโ of virus this winterAs the U.S. settles deeper into the holiday season, so too is it settling into a dangerous trend of coronavirus spread. The cold winter months are pushing people indoors, where the airborne virus can spread easier than outdoors. He was referring to the countryโs current battle with increased coronavirus spread. Pfizer formally requested an emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine on Nov. 20. Related: Details on when COVID-19 vaccine could be made public for useWhile itโs not totally clear who will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and when, it is likely that school-aged children will be among the last groups in the U.S. to receive them.
Much of US experiencing โsevereโ virus outbreaks amid โthird COVID wave,โ researchers say
Read full article: Much of US experiencing โsevereโ virus outbreaks amid โthird COVID wave,โ researchers sayCovid Act Now has even labeled this virus surge as the countryโs โthird waveโ of the coronavirus. A screenshot of Covid Act Now's map of all U.S. counties color-coded according to their "Covid Risk Level." Michigan is labeled as experiencing an "active or imminent" COVID outbreak, according to data from Covid Act Now. Most of the country is at "severe risk" for a COVID-19 outbreak (maroon), or is currently experiencing an "active or imminent" COVID-19 outbreak (red). (Covid Act Now) -- Nov. 28, 2020 (Covid Act Now)With holiday season upon us, experts are urging Americans not to travel and not to celebrate with anyone outside of their immediate household in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Can Michigan get COVID-19 curve down enough for new restrictions to end after 3 weeks?
Read full article: Can Michigan get COVID-19 curve down enough for new restrictions to end after 3 weeks?LANSING, Mich. โ Can Michigan get its COVID-19 curve down enough over the next three weeks to avoid extending the new temporary restrictions on restaurants, schools and other parts of the economy? READ: Michigan hospitals filling up as COVID-19 case, positivity rates continue to soarGov. The Traverse City Region has the lowest test positivity rate, at 9%. The Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo regions have the highest test positivity rate in Michigan, at 16%. On Thursday, Michigan reported 7,592 new COVID-19 cases and 134 additional deaths, bringing the state totals up to 285,398 cases and 8,324 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Michigan hospitals filling up as COVID-19 case, positivity rates continue to soar
Read full article: Michigan hospitals filling up as COVID-19 case, positivity rates continue to soarLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan hospitals are filling up at an alarming rate as COVID-19 case and positivity rates across the state continue to soar, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, updated some of the stateโs COVID-19 numbers during Gov. The Traverse City Region has the lowest test positivity rate, at 9%. The Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo regions have the highest test positivity rate in Michigan, at 16%. โThey are on average 79% full, and they are becoming more and more full of COVID-19 patients.
Kelly Stafford apologizes for โdictatorshipโ rant: โI love Michigan and the people hereโ
Read full article: Kelly Stafford apologizes for โdictatorshipโ rant: โI love Michigan and the people hereโDETROIT โ Kelly Stafford, the wife of Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford, apologized Thursday for calling Michigan a โdictatorshipโ during a social media rant inspired by the stateโs new COVID-19 restrictions. Original rantโIโm over living in a dictatorship that we call Michigan,โ Kelly Stafford said earlier Thursday in an Instagram story. Kelly Stafford said she feels bad for small business owners, as well as people infected with COVID-19 and hospitals. I โ and believe me, I know thereโs people out there that are stating, โThatโs really ignorant of you. Governors across the country have been calling on Congress to pass another relief bill to help businesses survive.
Live stream: Michigan Gov. Whitmer holds COVID-19 briefing after start of new restriction period
Read full article: Live stream: Michigan Gov. Whitmer holds COVID-19 briefing after start of new restriction periodLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will provide an update Thursday on the stateโs handling of COVID-19 with new restrictions currently in effect. On Wednesday, the stateโs three week โpauseโ that tightened COVID-19 safety protocols began, shutting down indoor dining, in-person classes for college and high school students, and more. Michigan announced 5,772 new COVID-19 cases and 62 additional deaths Wednesday, bringing the state totals to 277,806 cases and 8,190 deaths. Kelly Stafford on COVID-19 restrictions: โIโm over living in a dictatorship that we call Michiganโ
Kelly Stafford on COVID-19 restrictions: โIโm over living in a dictatorship that we call Michiganโ
Read full article: Kelly Stafford on COVID-19 restrictions: โIโm over living in a dictatorship that we call MichiganโDETROIT โ Kelly Stafford, the wife of Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford, called Michigan a โdictatorshipโ during a social media rant about the stateโs new COVID-19 restrictions. UPDATE: Kelly Stafford apologizes for โdictatorshipโ rantโIโm over living in a dictatorship that we call Michigan,โ Kelly Stafford said in an Instagram story. โI understand thereโs a pandemic, and I understand itโs very scary. Kelly Stafford said she feels bad for small business owners, as well as people infected with COVID-19 and hospitals. Full commentsHere are the full comments from Kelly Staffordโs Instagram story:โSo Iโm going to be very blunt: Iโm so over it.
31 COVID-19 cases, 40 possible exposures linked to Ypsilanti social club with mask, distancing issues
Read full article: 31 COVID-19 cases, 40 possible exposures linked to Ypsilanti social club with mask, distancing issuesYPSILANTI, Mich. โ Health officials have linked 31 COVID-19 cases and 40 possible exposures to an Ypsilanti social club that has had inconsistent or nonexistent mask use and social distancing. โFace coverings and social distance were reportedly inconsistently used or not used at all, contributing to rapid spread of illness and the high number of exposures,โ the health department revealed. The Health Department is also investigating the possibility that positive cases tied to the Eagles outbreak visited other local and regional establishments while infectious. Washtenaw County has reported a total of 7,117 confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date. In the last 24 hours, 156 new confirmed cases and 16 new hospitalizations have been reported (as of Nov. 17).
Ypsilanti fraternal organization listed as potential coronavirus exposure site
Read full article: Ypsilanti fraternal organization listed as potential coronavirus exposure siteYPSILANTI, Mich. โ The Washtenaw County Health Department has listed a local fraternal organization as a potential coronavirus exposure site after a number of individuals who attended recent events tested positive for the virus. Anyone who visited the Ypsilanti Fraternal Order of Eagles #2250 between October 31 and November 10 should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, which can develop up to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Individuals who exhibit symptoms should get tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantine while awaiting results to prevent the spread of the virus. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.
Studies reveal alarming trends of anxiety, depression among young adults during COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Studies reveal alarming trends of anxiety, depression among young adults during COVID-19 pandemicExperts have uncovered alarming trends regarding anxiety and depression among young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young adults might not be quite as susceptible to the serious adverse medical effects of COVID-19, but they arenโt protected from the stress and anxiety of the pandemic. Now the effect is being evaluated in a new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Another study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, though unrelated, showed how some of the effects are especially harmful. That study found that an alarming 80% of young adults reported significant depressive symptoms, 80% reported drinking alcohol and 30% reported harmful levels of drinking.
'3-week pauseโ: Michigan announces stricter COVID rules: What to know
Read full article: '3-week pauseโ: Michigan announces stricter COVID rules: What to knowLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have announced stricter COVID-19 regulations involving restaurants, bars, high schools, colleges, in-person working and more. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the restrictions Sunday evening, and Michigan Gov. On Saturday, Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths, bringing the state totals up to 251,813 cases and 7,994 deaths since the start of the pandemic. โRight now, there are thousands of cases a day and hundreds of deaths a week in Michigan, and the number is growing. The health care system can capsize if you donโt keep it under control.โThey all weighed in on whether stricter government COVID-19 rules were inevitable as cases spike in Michigan.
Michigan bars, restaurants to close for indoor dining again
Read full article: Michigan bars, restaurants to close for indoor dining againThe group that represents Michigan restaurants called the decision to shut down indoor dining โdisappointing.โREAD: MDHHS announces stricter COVID-19 rules for Michigan restaurants, high schools, colleges, remote workingThe new restrictions are slightly familiar territory for Michigan restaurant owners who have had to change the flow of their business to stay open, but theyโre not exactly looking forward to them being in place yet once again. โI am very worried," said Jeff Baldwin. โWeโre very well equipped now,โ Gabriella Baldwin said. Both Jeff Baldwin and Gabriella Baldwin said theyโre mainly concerned about their employees and if theyโll be able to keep them employed. No stimulus now," Jeff Baldwin said.
In-person learning suspended at Michigan high schools, colleges
Read full article: In-person learning suspended at Michigan high schools, collegesShortly after Sundayโs announcement that universities, colleges and high schools will go with fully remote learning, the Northville Public Schools district announced it will comply. READ: MDHHS announces stricter COVID-19 rules for Michigan restaurants, high schools, colleges, remote workingHigh schools and colleges will be closed for the next three weeks. As the 2020-21 school year has gone on, state health officials have pointed to high schools as major areas of concern. โOf the 200 outbreaks that we are currently investigating, 49% of them are associated with high schools,โ Khaldun said. I think thatโs one thing thatโs going to be difficult on a college campus is simply is how itโs going to be different.
Michigan faces 3-week shutdown impacting schools, restaurants and more
Read full article: Michigan faces 3-week shutdown impacting schools, restaurants and moreLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have announced stricter COVID-19 regulations that present large challenges for families and business owners. READ: MDHHS announces stricter COVID-19 rules for Michigan restaurants, high schools, colleges, remote workingWhy take these serious steps? โA leading model shows that if we donโt take aggressive action right now, we could soon see 1,000 deaths per week here in Michigan,โ Whitmer said. โGetting this health crisis under control is absolutely essential to getting our economic crisis under control,โ Whitmer said. โIf our public isnโt healthy, our economy isnโt healthy.โState Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey released a statement that reads, in part:โWe are disappointed that Gov.
MDHHS announces stricter COVID-19 rules for Michigan restaurants, high schools, colleges, remote working
Read full article: MDHHS announces stricter COVID-19 rules for Michigan restaurants, high schools, colleges, remote workingLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have announced stricter COVID-19 regulations involving restaurants, bars, high schools, colleges, in-person working and more. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the restrictions Sunday evening, and Michigan Gov. On Saturday, Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths, bringing the state totals up to 251,813 cases and 7,994 deaths since the start of the pandemic. โRight now, there are thousands of cases a day and hundreds of deaths a week in Michigan, and the number is growing. The health care system can capsize if you donโt keep it under control.โThey all weighed in on whether stricter government COVID-19 rules were inevitable as cases spike in Michigan.
17 things that are still allowed during Michiganโs three-week COVID-19 pause
Read full article: 17 things that are still allowed during Michiganโs three-week COVID-19 pauseLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials specified 17 segments of the state that will remain open during the three-week pause that includes many new restrictions due to COVID-19. Here are 17 segments of the state that will still be allowed:Indoor gatherings between two households and with no more than 10 people. During her Thursday press briefing, Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khladun, chief medical executive of MDHHS, painted a harrowing picture of Michiganโs current COVID-19 situation. Hospital leaders concernedEarlier Thursday morning, leaders from Michiganโs major hospital systems came together for a virtual discussion about their concerns. He and other state health care leaders are concerned about whatโs ahead for hospitals if the trends donโt reverse.
Here are 14 changes going into effect under Michiganโs new COVID-19 restrictions
Read full article: Here are 14 changes going into effect under Michiganโs new COVID-19 restrictionsLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan officials have implemented a new series of stricter COVID-19 regulations that will go into effect this week. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Sunday that the new restrictions will be in effect from Wednesday (Nov. 18) through Dec. 8. Whitmer had previously been issuing restrictions without the approval of the Republican-led Legislature, but now the orders fall to MDHHS. During her Thursday press briefing, Whitmer and Dr. Joneigh Khladun, chief medical executive of MDHHS, painted a harrowing picture of Michiganโs current COVID-19 situation. Hospital leaders concernedEarlier Thursday morning, leaders from Michiganโs major hospital systems came together for a virtual discussion about their concerns.
Live at 6 p.m.: Gov. Whitmer makes announcement regarding COVID-19 in Michigan
Read full article: Live at 6 p.m.: Gov. Whitmer makes announcement regarding COVID-19 in MichiganGretchen Whitmer is set to make an announcement Sunday evening regarding the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. Whitmer will be joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. The announcement pertains to the stateโs efforts to slow the spread of the virus, state officials said. On Saturday, Michigan reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 additional deaths, bringing the state totals up to 251,813 cases and 7,994 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Michigan reported a single-day record 8,516 new cases Friday.
โTake ownershipโ -- Macomb County executive pleads for residents to wear a mask
Read full article: โTake ownershipโ -- Macomb County executive pleads for residents to wear a maskWARREN, Mich. โ A new interactive map shows COVID-19 risk by event size in each Michigan county. In groups of just 10 people, the risk of someone having coronavirus is 19% in Wayne County, 24% in Oakland County and 30% in Macomb County. The leader of the Henry Ford Health System said theyโre having the most mask issues in Macomb County. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said it comes down to being responsible. Wright Lassiter spoke about the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols during a virtual panel conversation among Michigan hospital leaders.
Increased coronavirus spread reaches Warren Police Department, impacts operations
Read full article: Increased coronavirus spread reaches Warren Police Department, impacts operationsWARREN, Mich. โ As Michigan experiences its second wave of coronavirus spread, frontline institutions are growing concerned -- including local police departments. Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer says 13 officers and one dispatcher are not currently working after testing positive for the virus. On Thursday, yet another Warren officer -- a lieutenant in his 40s -- tested positive for COVID and has been hospitalized. Whitmer on COVID-19: This is the moment medical experts have been dreadingOfficials say police work is still getting done with the reduced staff size, but the Warren department has had to adjust its operations to prevent further spread of coronavirus. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan has risen to 236,225 in total, including 7,811 total deaths, as of Thursday.
โNo area of the state is sparedโ: How COVID-19 is trending in all 8 Michigan regions
Read full article: โNo area of the state is sparedโ: How COVID-19 is trending in all 8 Michigan regionsLANSING, Mich. โ Cases of COVID-19 are spiking in every region of Michigan right now, and the stateโs top medical official said no area has been spared. โThings are looking very grim with COVID-19 in our state right now,โ said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical officer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. โThereโs no area of the state that is spared.โKhaldun said the overall case rate in Michigan has risen to 416 cases per million population, and the test positivity rate is up to 10.8%. The test positivity rate is 8.7%. Khaldun echoed that sentiment, reporting 20% of ICU beds in the state are currently filled with COVID-19 patients.
Gov. Whitmer โstrongly considering all actionsโ to stop spread of COVID-19 in Michigan
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer โstrongly considering all actionsโ to stop spread of COVID-19 in MichiganGretchen Whitmer is โstrongly considering all actionsโ to slow the spread of COVID-19 as cases, hospitalizations and deaths surge statewide. โRight now, my team and I are following the numbers closely and strongly considering all actions that we can take to keep Michiganders safe,โ Whitmer said. Every week, Whitmer faces a question about whether Michigan will need to be shut down again to stop the spread of COVID-19. But on Thursday, Michigan reported a single-day record 6,940 new COVID-19 cases, along with 45 additional deaths. Overall, the state has reported 236,225 COVID-19 cases and 7,811 deaths.
6 common mistakes people are making as COVID-19 spreads in Michigan, according to Gov. Whitmer
Read full article: 6 common mistakes people are making as COVID-19 spreads in Michigan, according to Gov. WhitmerLANSING, Mich. โ COVID-19 cases in Michigan are at an all-time high, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer outlined six specific mistakes residents are making that contributes to the spread. Whitmer broke down these mistakes during her COVID-19 press briefing on Thursday after asking Michigan residents not to travel or gather with people outside their households during the Thanksgiving season. Not quarantining for after exposureAnyone who has been exposed to COVID-19 should be quarantining for two weeks regardless of symptoms, Whitmer said. Getting tested too soon after exposureโ(People are) making the mistake of getting tested too soon after exposure,โ Whitmer said.
What Michigan Gov. Whitmer said about celebrating Thanksgiving as COVID-19 cases surge
Read full article: What Michigan Gov. Whitmer said about celebrating Thanksgiving as COVID-19 cases surgeLANSING, Mich. โ COVID-19 cases are soaring in Michigan as Thanksgiving nears, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke about how residents should handle the Thanksgiving and holiday seasons. Michigan reported a single-day record 6,940 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, along with 45 additional deaths. Overall, the state has reported 236,225 COVID-19 cases and 7,811 deaths. Khaldun discouraged traveling for Thanksgiving or any of the winter holidays, saying even though itโs not legally forbidden, itโs medically discouraged.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer on COVID-19: This is the moment medical experts have been dreading
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer on COVID-19: This is the moment medical experts have been dreadingGretchen Whitmer painted a distressing picture Thursday as she spoke about the stateโs COVID-19 situation, saying weโve reached the stage of the pandemic that experts have been dreading. Overall, the state has reported 236,225 COVID-19 cases and 7,811 deaths. Whitmer pulled up a chart that shows the stateโs new cases per million population, and since October, the increase is staggering. โNow, the second wave of COVID-19 is hitting us, and itโs hitting us hard," Whitmer said. โUnless we get our act together right now, we could be hitting our daily peak of deaths in Michigan, come Christmas,โ Whitmer said.
COVID-19 exhaustion at Michigan hospitals: โWe got through first surge on adrenaline, now itโs a marathonโ
Read full article: COVID-19 exhaustion at Michigan hospitals: โWe got through first surge on adrenaline, now itโs a marathonโMichigan hospital leaders are worried about health care workers becoming exhausted by eight months of battling COVID-19 as hospitals start to fill up with patients once again. As state officials announce 6,000 new COVID-19 cases daily in Michigan, hospitalizations are starting to trend in wrong direction. During a virtual discussion with the presidents and CEOS of major Michigan health systems, the most pressing concern isnโt space, but staff availability. โIt may not be access to a facility need, it may actually be staffing,โ Decker said. So that has clearly been our top concern.โLOCAL: Macomb County a โpocketโ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says
Macomb County a โpocketโ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says
Read full article: Macomb County a โpocketโ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysThe president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System said Macomb County is a โpocketโ of Michigan that struggles with COVID-19 mask compliance. Wright Lassiter spoke about the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols during a virtual panel conversation among Michigan hospital leaders. He said while most people in the state wear masks, there are โpocketsโ where compliance isnโt up to par. โI would say that while we do see mask usage in many places, there are pockets where there is not good compliance,โ Lassiter said. โIn the Henry Ford system, our Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has the highest volume by far.
Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who donโt believe in COVID-19 protocols arenโt going to follow them
Read full article: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who donโt believe in COVID-19 protocols arenโt going to follow themThe head of the hospital association in Michigan said one of the main problems with the spread of COVID-19 statewide is that people arenโt convinced certain safety measures are necessarily, so they arenโt going to follow them. Brian Peters, the CEO of the Michigan Heath and Hospital Association, joined top hospital officials Thursday for a virtual discussion about the state of Michiganโs COVID-19 pandemic. Yet Michigan is still seeing its largest spike in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with case totals and test positivity rates rising statewide. LOCAL: Macomb County a โpocketโ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysHe compared COVID-19 protocols to wearing seat belts on the road, saying people wonโt follow rules unless they genuinely believe they are saving lives. He and Beaumont Health president and CEO John Fox both said visitors have even resisted simple COVID-19 safety measures while physically inside hospitals.
Michigan hospitals donโt plan to shut down elective surgeries again, but itโs a possible last resort
Read full article: Michigan hospitals donโt plan to shut down elective surgeries again, but itโs a possible last resortAs the number of Michiganders hospitalized with COVID-19 rises again, hospitals arenโt planning to shut down elective surgeries. But if the health care system gets overwhelmed, that might be a measure of last resort. Most importantly, health care workers donโt want Michiganders to have to delay necessary care. While all the hospital leaders agreed they donโt want to shut down elective procedures, itโs possible the spread of COVID-19 could reach a point where thatโs the only option. That means Michigan hospitals wonโt easily be able to transfer patients elsewhere if they reach capacity in terms of space or workers.