CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says he has tested positive for COVID-19, though he is fully vaccinated with a booster and has no symptoms.

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee has dismissed fines against two veteran lawmakers who’d been accused of evading weapons screening now required before entering the House chamber.

Every Republican in Congress voted against the $1.9 trillion "American Rescue Plan," which President Joe Biden signed into law three months ago.

The House Ethics Committee says the No. 3 House Democratic leader, Rep. Jim Clyburn, has been fined $5,000 after Capitol Police reported he avoided being screened before entering the House chamber.

WDIV/Local 4 hosted its “Coronavirus Crisis: The Vaccines” special Wednesday night.

The state of Michigan aims to vaccinate 100,000 people every day.

The state is reporting more young people are getting COVID. The city of Detroit said they’re seeing young adults between 20-39, testing positive due to various reasons.

WDIV-Local 4 continues its commitment to deliver crucial, up-to-date information from experts and the station’s team of reporters by airing a live, hour-long special called “Coronavirus Crisis: The Vaccines” on Wednesday, April 14 at 8 p.m.

“Coronavirus Crisis: One Year Later” All Day Event - followed by a Primetime Special (9 PM)It’s been one year since COVID-19 has been a part of our lives and at Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit, our mission is to keep you informed about the impact on our community and to give you the latest information available to keep you safe. Devin Scillian, Kimberly Gill, Dr. Frank McGeorge, and the Local 4 team come together for an Event Day to update you on this crisis: all day, all newscasts. Then, join us for a primetime special - “Coronavirus Crisis: One Year Later” - at 9 p.m. on Local 4. From the latest vaccine information to “Acts of Kindness” at a Clarkston food pantry, other stories include:COVID’s impact on unemployment and small businessesA local teacher’s yearlong video diaryPlus, a local woman spends her 100th birthday in quarantineAnd at 10 p.m. you won’t want to miss the NBC Special - “COVID One Year Later: Life After Lockdown.”

More than 16,000 Michigan lives were lost due to COVID-19. Each number is a well-rounded life lost. Let’s honor and celebrate the lives lived while we mourn those who have passed. Please upload a picture and a bio of your loved one below. Some may be featured throughout the day on Local 4 News, Thursday, March 11.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan high schools are allowed to resume in-person learning on Monday as a part of Michigan’s 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.

DETROIT – 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 order“When 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,” Fauci said. “If it spreads in the school, the kids brings it home, parent brings it to work and spreads it there,” Sims said. “We have teachers who are ill, teachers quarantined from home and there’s a substitute shortage,” Roberts said.

As the vaccine rollout continues, many people are excited that 2020 is finally in the past. While that doesn’t mean coronavirus disappeared at midnight, experts are weighing in when it’s 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.”The 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.

In 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. “Good news, sports fans: We are now ready to gradually and safely allow professional sports to resume in Michigan,” 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.

LANSING, Mich. – 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.

The 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 weren’t COVID relatedHere’s 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 ‘now likely’From 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.

“But it doesn’t make any sense because I’m not working now.”Hinkley visited Eastern Market Wednesday to pick up a debit card from the Wayne County Cares Program. “This is kind of what I would call Wayne County stimulus package, since the feds haven’t been able to figure out how to get it done,” 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.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials will not release the number of daily COVID-19 cases or deaths on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve or New Year’s 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 won’t come until Saturday (Dec. 26), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced. “We wanted to give MDHHS staff some time off during the holidays,” MDHHS Director Robert Gordon said. The same will be true after New Year’s Day, with new numbers being posted Jan. 2 and Jan. 4.

(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.

Michigan restaurants are still fighting to resume indoor dining, which is banned by the state’s 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 Services’ 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 can’t serve food or drink concessions. READ: Whitmer commutes sentences for 4 men serving decades in prison for nonviolent crimesPeople aren’t allowed to bowl with anyone other than their families.

Michigan’s top health director revealed the two “core, science-based ideas” 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 aren’t allowed to resume indoor dining. Gordon said the latest MDHHS order is “based on settled science and Michigan values.”“We are cautiously moving to address other activities based on two core, science-based values,” Gordon said.

Michigan’s new COVID-19 order went into effect Monday and is scheduled to last through mid-January, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the state will “seriously consider” lifting protocols sooner if recent progress is sustained. As part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ new COVID-19 order, certain entertainment venues that had been closed for the last month can reopen with limited capacity. But during Friday’s announcement, Whitmer said the state would consider lifting restrictions sooner if the metrics continue in the right direction. “This new order expires on Jan. 15, but if we substantially sustain our progress, we will seriously consider lifting protocols sooner,” Whitmer said.

“Where are our doses?” Whitmer asked during the briefing. I’m angry because this virus is raging on in this country.”The governor admitted she’s 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 ‘condemn’ 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 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. That’s 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.

Michigan’s 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. “There will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,” Gordon said.

MORE: Here’s everything that’s reopening under Michigan’s revised COVID-19 order“I think this is a glass half full situation,” said Emagine Entertainment’s 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. “Now we’re not allowed to offer our guests food and beverage items, so there will be no concession sales,” 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, Mich. – 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. “There will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,” 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. “It’s not the restaurant’s fault. “If you feel comfortable coming in here, who are you do say no when you can go to all these other places?” Luchkovitc said.

Gretchen 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. “My frustration level is high because in Portage there are vaccines ready to be distributed,” 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.

LANSING, Mich. – Minutes after the state announced updated COVID-19 restrictions, Michigan Republicans released a statement “condemning” 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 reopen“I 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.

(Photo by Richard Bord/Getty Images)LANSING, Mich. – 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 didn’t change the restrictions on restaurants at all. FROM TUESDAY: When could Michigan restaurants reopen? “There will not be changes for highest risk settings of indoor bars and dining where masks are necessarily removed,” Gordon said. Since dining at restaurants requires people from different households to remove their masks in the same area, it’s inherently risky, Gordon and Gov.

LANSING, Mich. – 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. Here’s a look at what’s 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.

Gretchen 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.

UPDATE: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesREFRESHER: 9 major takeaways from Whitmer’s last COVID-19 briefing (Tuesday)Click here to watch Whitmer’s Friday briefing live. Since winter has arrived, most Michigan restaurants aren’t 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 storiesHere’s the complete coverage from Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing:

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Friday on the state’s response to COVID-19. UPDATE: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesThe state has been under a “pause” 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.

The FDA’s 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 Moderna’s vaccine to become the second approved for use in the United States. Moderna had the advantage of watching the FDA’s review of the Pfizer vaccine and came prepared to answer the anticipated questions. More than 25% of Moderna’s volunteers are health care workers who are now eligible to get Pfizer’s vaccine.

Moderna vaccine expected soonWhitmer said she expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week. “Over the weekend, the first shipments of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine left Portage, Michigan,” 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 they’re targeting residents. “In the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – 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. “There 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,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s attorney general outlined four specific types of COVID-19 vaccine scams circulating in the state and explained how they’re targeting residents. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15Attorney General Dana Nessel joined Gov. Gretchen Whitmer during Tuesday’s briefing to warn Michiganders about scammers looking to capitalize on the COVID-19 vaccine excitement. “Fake vaccine treatments, test kits and clinical trials are just some of those examples of what scammers are going to be putting out there,” she said. Michigan expects the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to join the Pfizer vaccine in being approved in the next week.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s 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.

LANSING, Mich. – Three of the most important COVID-19 metrics are showing positive signs that Michigan is heading in the right direction, the state’s 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.

Gretchen Whitmer is asking state lawmakers for a permanent extension of unemployment benefits due to COVID-19. READ: 9 major takeaways from Whitmer’s 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. “I also need them to remember to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits,” Whitmer said. “I appreciate the Senate’s 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.”Whitmer said thousands of Michiganders are in danger of losing benefits at the end of the year. Lawmakers didn’t approve of Whitmer’s emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldn’t be able to make such decisions without their approval.

Gretchen 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. “Yesterday, I sent another letter to the Legislature, urging them to work with me on priorities like $100 million in COVID-19 relief,” Whitmer said. “There are people out there who have spent a lifetime building up their small businesses,” Whitmer said. “We here in Michigan have got to step up and take action,” Whitmer said. Lawmakers didn’t approve of Whitmer’s emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldn’t be able to make such decisions without their approval.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s 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 Whitmer’s COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15Gov. “In the three weeks since I sent that letter, nearly 2,000 Michiganders have died from COVID-19,” Whitmer said. We cannot afford to wait any longer.”Tension between Whitmer and the Republican-led Legislature has existed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers didn’t approve of Whitmer’s emergency orders issued throughout the pandemic, saying she shouldn’t be able to make such decisions without their approval.

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 Whitmer’s COVID-19 briefing on Dec. 15The governor spoke about vaccines during her Tuesday briefing. “Over the weekend, the first shipments of the FDA-approved Pfizer vaccine left Portage, Michigan,” Whitmer said. “In the next week, we expect the Moderna vaccine to be approved. It doesn’t matter which -- the Pfizer or the Moderna, or maybe others that will come online.

Gretchen Whitmer believes the state’s stricter COVID-19 rules, which were extended into next week, are successfully slowing the spread of the virus. It is working.”Whitmer said the state’s 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 “pause.”“Simply put, what we’re doing is working,” 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.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launched “CV19 CheckUp” -- a free, anonymous tool that evaluates someone’s 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 it’s specifically designed to help adults 60 and older. The tool used artificial intelligence to analyze each person through an online questionnaire. “CV19 CheckUp was developed to fill an urgent public need,” said Jim Firman, chief innovation officer at BellAge.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the state’s response to COVID-19 and the efforts to slow the spread of the virus. READ: 9 major takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s 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.

Lawmakers in Washington claim they may have a compromise on a COVID Relief Bill that would extend unemployment benefits and help small businesses. Michigan’s “three-week pause” in that bans indoor dining at bars and restaurants, in-person learning at high schools and colleges ends Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., but it’s still unclear if Gov. For single mothers and servers at Andiamo restaurant, Kelly and Melissa, preparing for the holidays have been rougher than usual. Since the latest set of restrictions were put into place by the Governor, making ends meet isn’t as easy as it was when restaurants were open for in-person dining. Just let us open back up and let the people who want to come out, come back,” Melissa concluded.

This time they’re butting heads over the closure of bars and restaurants to slow the spread of COVID-19. Shirkey said he’s concerned about bars and restaurants and released a statement Friday that reads, in part: “We demand Gov. Whitmer provide the metrics by which restaurants in Michigan can reopen in preparation for the expiration of her latest shut down order on December 9th. “Buy gift certificates for people for the holiday if you’re looking for gifts and want to also support your local restaurant. On a day when Michigan reported 7,146 new cases and 175 deaths -- the fifth highest since March -- this is what the senator chooses to talk about.”Related:

LANSING, Mich. – 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 “very seriously.” 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 MDC’s clinical COVID-19 response. MDC leadership has regular meetings with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to learn more about the virus.

Nine Michigan businesses have been fined for violating COVID-19 safety rules and putting workers at risk, state officials said. “The employer was also cited for an other-than-serious record keeping violation.”Reason 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.

Gretchen Whitmer said when considering whether or not the three-week COVID-19 restrictions need to be extended, the bottom line is: “Do the people do their part?”From 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. “We could all do our part right now and take this incredible seriously,” Whitmer said. There is hope that stems from slowly declining case rates and positive momentum for a COVID-19 vaccine. While there’s a great deal of hope, Michigan is also in a “really dangerous moment,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s 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.

Gretchen Whitmer believes any elected officials who tests positive for COVID-19 should reveal that information. During Thursday’s COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked about COVID-19 diagnoses among state lawmakers. “I think all elected officials, in particular, should make the same exact commitment (to disclose positive tests),” Whitmer said. READ: Governor responds to Michigan restaurants considering defying state order, reopening“If I should take a COVID-19 test that comes back positive, I would absolutely disclose it,” Whitmer said. Whitmer said she has heard there are “quite a few” lawmakers who have COVID-19, and believes it should be a policy to share that information.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s 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. “It’s really about exposure and what jobs people are doing and what resources they have. Maybe they didn’t have a car and they needed to share rides. “So it’s really about exposure and equity when it comes to why we’ve seen these disparities.”

LANSING, Mich. – COVID-19 case and death rates are still too high in Michigan, but there are three positive signs that the state’s 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 progress“This month is already very promising,” 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 “still seeing a slight decline in the rate of new cases over the past 13 days,” according to Khaldun.

LANSING, Mich. – 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. “We’re 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,” Khaldun said. “This 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.”Click here to view a timeline of when the COVID-19 vaccine could be available to Michigan’s general public. “As more supply becomes available, eventually, the general public will be able to get the vaccine, as well,” Khaldun said.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 “the gold standard,” but health officials will also have the option to allow people who have not developed symptoms to be released from quarantine after 10 days. “So if you’ve had no symptoms after exposure for 10 days, then you can be removed from quarantine,” Khaldun said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official revealed the top six types of places linked to COVID-19 outbreaks in the state during Thursday’s briefing. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, spoke Thursday during Gov. “We are also still identifying many outbreaks across the state,” 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.

Gretchen Whitmer will extend the “pause.”Whitmer said she’s 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. “So we really are encouraging people not to travel for Christmas and start figuring out how to use Zoom to stay close,” 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. “There is great, great hope on the horizon,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer 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 it’s 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 weekend’s game against Maryland due to COVID-19 concerns within the Wolverines’ program.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Thursday on the state’s 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 “pause” 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.

Gretchen 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.”“She decided to close restaurants, again. Here’s what she said in response to the question:“You know, let me just say this: I understand the frustration. “And yet, we know that this virus has taken the lives of over 9,000 people in Michigan. So many of us know someone who’s died or is struggling with COVID-19 or struggling with COVID-19 months after they’ve had it.

Gretchen Whitmer said indoor dining at restaurants has “all the different ingredients” for increased COVID-19 risk. During the governor’s COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Local 4′s 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 “pause” 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. “That’s just, unfortunately, all the different ingredients for a higher risk situation.”Whitmer said that’s why the MDHHS order targeted places that involve people from different households being inside together.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 Michigan’s new COVID-19 restrictionsOn Tuesday, during her COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked whether there’s been any talk of extending the pause. “At this point in time, it’s really too early to say precisely where we will be in a few days, much less next week,” 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. “That will inform any decision going forward.”Michigan coronavirus data: Tracking case count, cases by county, deaths, cases by age, tests

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official provided a rough timeline of when she hopes a COVID-19 vaccine could be available to the state’s general public. MORE: Here are 14 changes in effect under Michigan’s new COVID-19 restrictions“We are still working hard on planning for when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available,” Khaldun said. “We are actively working on plans for distribution when these vaccines become available,” Khaldun said. Hopeful vaccine distribution timelineWhen Michigan first receives the vaccine, it will be in very limited quantities, she said. “We hope to be able to have vaccine available to the general public by late spring,” Khaldun said.

LANSING, Mich. – 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. “Overall, our case rate is now at 608 cases per million people, and has been declining for the past week,” Khaldun said. Khaldun said case rates are above 500 cases per million people in every Michigan region, except for the Traverse City Region. “We will continue to watch these trends, as we have throughout the pandemic, and case rates and test positivity,” she said.

Gretchen 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 Michigan’s new COVID-19 restrictionsAs the holiday shopping season rolls around, Whitmer urged Michiganders to keep those businesses in mind. “As 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,” Whitmer said. On Black Friday, Metro Detroiters stressed to Local 4 how critical the holiday season will be for their businesses to survive. “There are a number of ways that we can support local businesses this season and stay safe,” Whitmer said.

Gretchen 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. “I also urged the Legislature to pass a permanent extension of unemployment benefits,” Whitmer said. “Just yesterday, they invited the Republican colleagues to join forces with them to protect unemployed Michiganders,” Whitmer said. Michigan looks to overhaul unemployment officeThe state of Michigan is looking to overhaul its unemployment office after the director’s sudden resignation. Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Michigan unemployment office has worked through significant issues.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the state’s 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 “pause” 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.

LANSING, Mich. – 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.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 state’s 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%. “They are on average 79% full, and they are becoming more and more full of COVID-19 patients.

DETROIT – Kelly Stafford, the wife of Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford, apologized Thursday for calling Michigan a “dictatorship” during a social media rant inspired by the state’s new COVID-19 restrictions. Original rant“I’m over living in a dictatorship that we call Michigan,” 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 — and believe me, I know there’s people out there that are stating, ‘That’s really ignorant of you. Governors across the country have been calling on Congress to pass another relief bill to help businesses survive.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will provide an update Thursday on the state’s handling of COVID-19 with new restrictions currently in effect. On Wednesday, the state’s three week “pause” 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: ‘I’m over living in a dictatorship that we call Michigan’

DETROIT – Kelly Stafford, the wife of Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford, called Michigan a “dictatorship” during a social media rant about the state’s new COVID-19 restrictions. UPDATE: Kelly Stafford apologizes for ‘dictatorship’ rant“I’m over living in a dictatorship that we call Michigan,” Kelly Stafford said in an Instagram story. “I understand there’s a pandemic, and I understand it’s 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 Stafford’s Instagram story:“So I’m going to be very blunt: I’m so over it.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – 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. “Face 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,” 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).

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials have implemented a new series of stricter COVID-19 regulations that will go into effect today. 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 Michigan’s current COVID-19 situation. Hospital leaders concernedEarlier Thursday morning, leaders from Michigan’s major hospital systems came together for a virtual discussion about their concerns.

Experts 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 aren’t 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.

LANSING, Mich. – 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. “Right 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 don’t keep it under control.”They all weighed in on whether stricter government COVID-19 rules were inevitable as cases spike in Michigan.

The group that represents Michigan restaurants called the decision to shut down indoor dining “disappointing.”READ: 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 they’re not exactly looking forward to them being in place yet once again. “I am very worried," said Jeff Baldwin. “We’re very well equipped now,” Gabriella Baldwin said. Both Jeff Baldwin and Gabriella Baldwin said they’re mainly concerned about their employees and if they’ll be able to keep them employed. No stimulus now," Jeff Baldwin said.

Shortly after Sunday’s 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. “Of the 200 outbreaks that we are currently investigating, 49% of them are associated with high schools,” Khaldun said. I think that’s one thing that’s going to be difficult on a college campus is simply is how it’s going to be different.

LANSING, Mich. – 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? “A leading model shows that if we don’t take aggressive action right now, we could soon see 1,000 deaths per week here in Michigan,” Whitmer said. “Getting this health crisis under control is absolutely essential to getting our economic crisis under control,” Whitmer said. “If our public isn’t healthy, our economy isn’t healthy.”State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey released a statement that reads, in part:“We are disappointed that Gov.

LANSING, Mich. – 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. “Right 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 don’t keep it under control.”They all weighed in on whether stricter government COVID-19 rules were inevitable as cases spike in Michigan.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 Michigan’s current COVID-19 situation. Hospital leaders concernedEarlier Thursday morning, leaders from Michigan’s major hospital systems came together for a virtual discussion about their concerns. He and other state health care leaders are concerned about what’s ahead for hospitals if the trends don’t reverse.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 Michigan’s current COVID-19 situation. Hospital leaders concernedEarlier Thursday morning, leaders from Michigan’s major hospital systems came together for a virtual discussion about their concerns.

Gretchen 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 state’s 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.

WARREN, Mich. – 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 they’re 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.

LANSING, Mich. – Cases of COVID-19 are spiking in every region of Michigan right now, and the state’s top medical official said no area has been spared. “Things are looking very grim with COVID-19 in our state right now,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical officer for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “There’s no area of the state that is spared.”Khaldun 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.

Gretchen Whitmer is “strongly considering all actions” to slow the spread of COVID-19 as cases, hospitalizations and deaths surge statewide. “Right now, my team and I are following the numbers closely and strongly considering all actions that we can take to keep Michiganders safe,” 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.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 exposure“(People are) making the mistake of getting tested too soon after exposure,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – 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 it’s not legally forbidden, it’s medically discouraged.

Gretchen Whitmer painted a distressing picture Thursday as she spoke about the state’s COVID-19 situation, saying we’ve 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 state’s new cases per million population, and since October, the increase is staggering. “Now, the second wave of COVID-19 is hitting us, and it’s hitting us hard," Whitmer said. “Unless we get our act together right now, we could be hitting our daily peak of deaths in Michigan, come Christmas,” Whitmer said.

Michigan 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 isn’t space, but staff availability. “It may not be access to a facility need, it may actually be staffing,” Decker said. So that has clearly been our top concern.”LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System said Macomb County is a “pocket” 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 “pockets” where compliance isn’t up to par. “I would say that while we do see mask usage in many places, there are pockets where there is not good compliance,” Lassiter said. “In the Henry Ford system, our Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has the highest volume by far.

The head of the hospital association in Michigan said one of the main problems with the spread of COVID-19 statewide is that people aren’t convinced certain safety measures are necessarily, so they aren’t 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 Michigan’s 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 ‘pocket’ 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 won’t 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.

As the number of Michiganders hospitalized with COVID-19 rises again, hospitals aren’t 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 don’t want Michiganders to have to delay necessary care. While all the hospital leaders agreed they don’t want to shut down elective procedures, it’s possible the spread of COVID-19 could reach a point where that’s the only option. That means Michigan hospitals won’t easily be able to transfer patients elsewhere if they reach capacity in terms of space or workers.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is seeing its most rapid spread of COVID-19, and hospitals are trying to keep up without the same resources as the more populated areas of the state. Gar Atchison, the CEO of UP Health System-Marquette and market CEO of UP Health System, joined a discussion among state hospital system leaders Thursday to talk about how COVID-19 is being handled in the Upper Peninsula. “We are seeing some pretty rapid increases, some pretty alarming case rates.”Some hospitals and testing centers in the Upper Peninsula are seeing test positivity rates of 30% multiple days in a row, Atchison said. UP Health System-Marquette is the safety net hospital for the Upper Peninsula, so what happens when the region hits capacity is a major concern for Atchison. ICU capacity outside of Marquette is fairly limited, so that’s the number that I’m paying most attention to.”He said 61% of patients in ICU beds in the Upper Peninsula are COVID-19 patients.

Michigan’s top health officials are concerned about hospitals becoming overwhelmed again as the COVID-19 numbers across the state reach new levels. Early in the-19 pandemic, one of the major problems for Michigan was hospital capacity, as COVID-19 patients filled beds and the state was forced to set up alternate sites. “That’s one of the general concerns,” said Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. Decker said another concern is staff members who have been fighting COVID-19 for the better part of eight months. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says“Our team -- they’ve been dealing with this for a very long time, so they are tired,” Decker said.

The president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System wants Michiganders to follow the simple safety measures in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, but if they can’t, he said other steps might be necessary. “If doing the right thing and using ration and science isn’t sufficient, then there may be other steps that end up being necessary,” said Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO saysThey said Michiganders should just follow four simple rules: Wear masks, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently and avoid large gatherings. Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System, during a COVID-19 discussion on Nov. 12, 2020. MORE: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who don’t believe in COVID-19 protocols aren’t going to follow themLassiter said a broad-based shutdown of the state likely would not be effective.

As COVID-19 trends worsen dramatically across Michigan, are stricter government regulations inevitable? The presidents and CEOS of Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Health, Spectrum Health, Munson Healthcare and UP Health System-Marquette joined the discussion to highlight the alarming trajectory of COVID-19 numbers statewide. John Fox, president and CEO of Beaumont Health, said the tools to slow the spread of COVID-19 are already in place. LOCAL: Macomb County a ‘pocket’ of Michigan that struggles with mask wearing, Henry Ford Health CEO says“The tools to control it are there. MORE: Hospital association CEO: Michiganders who don’t believe in COVID-19 protocols aren’t going to follow them“They’ve been much more targeted, where government did intervene,” Anderson said.