DETROIT COVID

Detroit officials are recommending everyone wear masks indoors now that the city is categorized as having a “high” rate of COVID infection.

The city of Detroit is approaching the one-year anniversary of its rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines as officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated or receive booster shots.

According to a survey conducted by the Detroit Regional Chamber nearly half of people in Detroit said they’ll continue to wear masks in public to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The plan rolled out on Friday (Nov. 5) by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and others goes well beyond what took place earlier this year at the TCF Center.

The TCF Center in Detroit is once again open as a COVID vaccination site.

New Detroit is hosting the New Detroit Town Hall series about “Advancing a Racially Equitable COVID-19 Recovery.”

As of Thursday, the city’s vaccination rates are at only 21%, about 10% less than Michigan’s vaccination rate.

As of Thursday, the city’s vaccination rates are at only 21%, about 10% less than Michigan’s vaccination rate.

With eight million doses delivered to Michigan and six million shots being administered, demand for the vaccine is drying up.

Detroit opened four vaccination sites that will not require appointments in an effort to speed up getting younger people vaccinated against COVID-19.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the city’s hospitals are starting to fill up with COVID-19 patients, and he’s worried about the “extremely low” vaccine rate.

The city of Detroit is lagging behind the rest of the state in getting residents vaccinated and it’s coming as cases in the city are rising rapidly.

“I’m pleased to announce the addition of a new FEMA-supported site in Detroit,” said White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients. “This site, located at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions, has the ability to administer 6,000 shots per day.”UPDATE March 15: You can now register to get vaccinated against COVID at Ford FieldREAD: FEMA to convert Ford Field into regional mass vaccination siteIt was initially reported in February that officials from FEMA were touring Ford Field and were planning to turn the home of the Detroit Lions into a massive vaccination site. “Protect lives and move Michigan and Detroit forward.”The way forward, she said, is the the vaccination site at Ford Field. I am thrilled that the recently enacted American Rescue Plan Act will deliver resources -- that I secured -- directly to the federal vaccination program at Ford Field. Having this new mass vaccination site operated by FEMA will be a significant step forward for our city and our region toward that goal.

DETROIT – The Joe Biden Administration officially announced Friday morning it will be working with state officials to build a new major Community Vaccination Center (CVC) in Detroit. With the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ford Field will become the new home of a regional mass vaccination site. UPDATE March 15: You can now register to get vaccinated against COVID at Ford FieldRELATED: Here is Michigan’s updated COVID-19 vaccination schedule: Who is eligible and whenAccording to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, the CVC at Ford Field will be administering 6,000 shots daily. AdIt was initially reported in February that officials from FEMA were touring Ford Field and were planning to turn the home of the Detroit Lions into a massive vaccination site. AdFord Field’s use as a CVC will be a large part of Metro Detroit’s vaccination process.

DETROIT – Detroit this week turned down 6,200 doses of the newly authorized Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, favoring shots from Pfizer and Moderna, but said Friday it will accept J&J doses in the state’s next allocation. Duggan had also said the allotment of 29,000 Pfizer and Moderna doses “covered everyone who wanted a vaccination this week." White House coronavirus special adviser Andy Slavitt said Friday that the White House talked to the Detroit mayor's office, which called the situation a “misunderstanding.”“In fact, he is very eager for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine,” Slavitt said of Duggan. Detroit this week expanded vaccinations to any resident who is a factory worker, no matter their age or where they work. AdDetroit's 6,200 J&J doses went to health departments in counties with the lowest vaccination rates of people age 65 and up, state spokesman Bob Wheaton said.

DETROIT – Manufacturing workers in Detroit can now get a COVID-19 vaccine. “The city of Detroit is expanding COVID vaccine eligibility to our manufacturing workers so any person who works in a manufacturing job, if you live in Detroit, or you work in Detroit, you are now eligible to get a vaccine -- no age restriction,” Duggan said. “The Detroit Health Department is going to set up on-site vaccinations at major manufacturing centers in the city of Detroit.”Sites will be set up at two Jeep plants in Metro Detroit. “Our UAW workers, and you know workers in manufacturing, whether they’re union or not and really, you know, been there throughout this whole pandemic working and it’s not been easy, “said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada. READ: Detroit expands vaccine eligibility to manufacturing employees living or working in city

DETROIT – Sources have confirmed that Ford Field will be used as a regional mass vaccination site starting next month. Sources in Wayne County said that FEMA has not yet defined what “regional” means. Detroit police were quietly providing security outside of Ford Field on Monday while inside a team from FEMA got a close look. FEMA wants Ford Field up and running for vaccinations by mid-March. AdWayne County Commissioner Ray Basham said FEMA is aware of how Michigan county health departments, city health departments and health systems are competing for doses.

DETROIT – Many people are growing frustrated with the system as they try to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. A program in Wayne County is trying to close the gap to vaccine access. READ: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesEric Doeh is with the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. The network is working to help people who would otherwise struggle to get the COVID-19 vaccine gain access. READ: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine data

DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has expanded vaccination eligibility to the city’s food service workers, which includes restaurant and grocery store employees. Starting on Tuesday, any foodservice employee either living or working in Detroit, regardless of age, can call to schedule an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the TCF Center. Duggan also added any security guard or janitor living or working in Detroit to the list of those eligible. “Food service workers play a critical role in our economy and touch all of our lives, so I’m pleased that we are now able to offer the vaccine to them,” Mayor Duggan said. Initially, access to vaccinations in Detroit for residents was limited to those ages 75 or older.

DETROIT – Seniors across Wayne County are struggling to get their doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Anita and Dan Siefer said they’re prisoners in their Wayne County home. “My wife and I are anxious,” said former Wayne County Commissioner Gary Woronchak. “We have been hunkered down for months.”Woronchak has also been struggling trying to schedule a vaccine appointment. They will start with four stores in Wayne County, but they haven’t revealed which ones.

DETROIT – A Detroit COVID vaccine scheduling call center has received more than 100,000 calls just since 9 a.m. on Monday morning. “Those who predicted that Detroiters would not be interested in receiving the vaccine were clearly incorrect,” Detroit COO Hakim Berry said. READ: Michigan health departments urge patience on COVID vaccines: ‘Demand is overwhelming’The calling center is staffed by Rock Connections. They have already increased the amount of staff from 42 to 56 representatives to book appointments. Detroit COO Hakim BerryREAD: Continuous Michigan COVID coverage

DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan provided an update on where he believes the city stands in the fight against COVID-19. While Detroit’s COVID-19 numbers remain relatively low, Duggan said the surrounding suburbs and out-of-state areas are forcing the city to take immediate action. READ: ‘3-week pause’: Michigan announces stricter COVID rules: What to knowDuggan said Detroit businesses are being shut down because of irresponsible behavior in the surrounding communities. Mark Hackel released a statement in response to Duggan’s COVID-19 update:"Early on during this pandemic, the City of Detroit led the state in the number of COVID cases and deaths. Whitmer hopes Michiganders ‘double down so we can avoid a stay-home order’While announcing the new MDHHS order for three weeks of stricter COVID-19 regulations, Michigan Gov.

DETROIT – The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will shift from face-to-face learning to online learning starting Monday, Nov. 16. There have been outbreaks -- defined as two or more connected COVID-19 cases in people not of the same household -- in Michigan schools. School districts are trying to balance the desires of parents to have children in school and the fact that students learn better in person. Different districts have different risk tolerance and resources to reduce risk, which is why decisions shave been left up to local leaders. More: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools

DETROIT – The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) will shift from face-to-face learning to online learning starting Monday, Nov. 16. “All classes will be held online starting Monday, November 16 due to the rapid increase in the COVID-19 infection rate in Detroit. We are committed to supporting your students rise!”Detroit schools were offering optionsDPSCD had been offering options for parents including online learning, in-person learning and a hybrid of both amid the coronavirus pandemic. “The online learning wasn’t ideal and our children have fallen farther behind,” Vitti told CNN. The new move to online learning by DPSCD comes as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge in Michigan.