ELIZABETH HERTEL

Southeast Michigan SNAP recipients who were impacted by power outages from last week’s storm may be eligible for assistance to help them replace food that spoiled.

Michigan’s Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to provide one-on-one crisis support for domestic violence victims, survivors, support people and the professionals who serve them.

Michigan emergency responders will now have the opportunity to carry emergency contraception and HIV/STI treatments as a part of new protocols when handling sexual assault situations.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the awardees of the Sickle Cell Clinic Expansion and Enhancement Program grants.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state health officials are shipping 250,000 free COVID tests to Michigan residents.

Michigan health officials have issued an epidemic order that requires nursing homes to offer on-site doses of the COVID vaccine to their residents.

Local 4 was able to obtain the 13-page review which was sent to the chair of the House Oversight Committee.

Michigan is partnering with 18 libraries to test a pilot program that offers free at-home COVID tests to residents.

Did Michigan undercount COVID deaths in long-term care facilities? A review coming out next week reportedly shows it did -- but Michigan’s director of health says that claim is false.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is disputing the methodology and conclusions in a pending report that is expected to say there were nearly 30% more coronavirus-related deaths tied to long-term care facilities in Michigan than reported by the state.

A report from the office of the Auditor-General claims the state undercounted the number of deaths in nursing homes during the pandemic.

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

With Michigan in the midst of its most dramatic COVID spike to date, health officials held a briefing to address this surge and talk about where the state is heading.

Michigan public health leaders and physicians are scheduled to provide an update on current COVID-19 metrics as they urge residents to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Michigan public health leaders and physicians are scheduled to provide an update on current COVID-19 metrics as they urge residents to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Michigan public health leaders and physicians are scheduled to provide an update on current COVID-19 metrics as they urge residents to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Michigan health officials say the state has received its first shipment of newly authorized COVID-19 pill treatments, but it’ll only be prescribed in certain situations due to limited supply.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a COVID briefing Tuesday for the first time since June, answering questions about whether this surge warrants new mandates and delivering specific messages for both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents.

Here are this morning's top stories.

For the first time since restrictions were lifted in June, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is hosting an official COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday morning as omicron cases surge in the U.S.

State officials say their supply of monoclonal antibodies is good enough right now. Still, the demand is high as hospitals struggle to make it available to patients who desperately need it.

Michigan’s fight against COVID-19 is at yet another critical point as 20% of Michigan hospital beds are filled with COVID patients.

“We’re in a critical stage right now. We are surging. We’re leading the nation in terms of cases. We are trailing in terms of vaccinations, and we have omicron here.”

More U.S. states desperate to defend against COVID-19 are calling on the National Guard and other military personnel to assist.

“We’re in a critical stage right now. We are surging. We’re leading the nation in terms of cases. We are trailing in terms of vaccinations, and we have omicron here.”

Michigan state public health leaders and doctors plan to provide an update on current COVID-19 metrics Friday as they urge residents to protect themselves from COVID and other respiratory illnesses.

Michigan state public health leaders and doctors plan to provide an update on current COVID-19 metrics Friday as they urge residents to protect themselves from COVID and other respiratory illnesses.

Michigan health officials have identified the state’s first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant in Kent County.

Michigan was already struggling with its fourth surge of the coronavirus before word came that yet another variant, now called omicron, has mutated its way into circulation.

A third 22-member medical team from the U.S. military is being deployed to Michigan, where hospitals are grappling with record-high COVID-19 patients amid the state’s fourth surge of infections.

The sharp rise in COVID cases has some hospitals in Michigan at their breaking points and now the Department of Defense is stepping in to help at the state’s request.

Free blood lead testing is being offered to Benton Harbor residents next week.

The vice president of the State Board of Education and Superintendent is calling on Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration to issue a mask mandate for schools.

As Michigan students return to the classroom, MDHHS has updated its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students

As Michigan students return to the classroom, MDHHS has updated its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students

Flat Rock Residents who smell gas are asked to call 734-782-2496.

Michigan’s health chief said if the state did issue a school masks mandate, and it was followed, then the spread of COVID-19 could be mitigated this fall as students and teachers return to in-person classrooms.

Michigan is lifting all of its COVID restrictions for capacity, masks and gatherings next week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced.

Michigan is lifting all of its COVID restrictions for capacity, masks and gatherings next week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced.

Michigan’s top health official says nursing homes are accurately reporting the number of coronavirus-related deaths, amid questions over whether the tally is low.

Michigan will be following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and lift the mask mandate for those who are fully vaccinated starting Saturday, May 15.

“Is wearing a mask all of a sudden going to be some kind of a new scarlet letter in schools?" asked Novi superintendent Dr. Steve Matthews.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Tuesday that masks will generally not be required at outdoor gatherings that has less than 100 people.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 4:

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Thursday morning to provide an update on the state’s response to the COVID pandemic.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Thursday on COVID-19 in Michigan, discussing a new plan to lift restrictions based on how many people get vaccinated.

Michigan has extended the COVID-19 order that implemented restrictions on gatherings, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced a few changes to its COVID-19 vaccine dashboard on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was asked about two of her top aides, including the Michigan health director, going out of state for vacation despite the governor’s administration discouraging anyone from traveling.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing backlash for not holding her own staff to standards expected of Michigan residents.

Michigan's health director says the state is focusing on getting more people vaccinated, not imposing new restrictions on the economy, despite a wave of COVID-19 cases.

A high school sports advocacy group and some parents have sued Michigan, seeking to stop a new requirement that all teen athletes be regularly tested for the coronavirus.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)Michigan officials focus on vaccinations, less on restrictionsDETROIT – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director Elizabeth Hertel visited a new drive-thru COVID vaccination site Wednesday in Sterling Heights. The new vaccination site is located in the former Sears automotive center at Lakeside Mall. Hertel said it’s shots, not shut-downs that are needed to put a dent in the skyrocketing cases of COVID. It’s important for everyone to understand where the hot spots are within the state -- particularly in Metro Detroit. Pfizer vaccine safe, effective for young teens, company saysNew information suggests the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12.

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

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

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

LANSING, Mich. – Republican senators critical of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the coronavirus pandemic are weighing whether to reject her appointee to run the state health department, which has issued orders restricting business capacity and gatherings to limit COVID-19's spread. Elizabeth Hertel took over the Department of Health and Human Services on Jan. 22, the day Robert Gordon abruptly resigned. But Republicans would need to be in near lockstep — which appears unlikely — because Democrats support her. “I understand that this is an enormous responsibility — to try to balance the safety and health of the residents of the state of Michigan with the livelihood of the residents of the state of Michigan,” Hertel said.

LANSING, Mich. – On Friday, COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants, entertainment venues, nursing homes, gatherings and much more will be loosened across Michigan. Those metrics -- the state’s case, positivity and hospitalization rates -- are still mostly heading in the right direction, but officials are a bit concerned that they’re beginning to plateau. “We are now seeing a plateau in our case rates,” Khaldun said. The Saginaw and Traverse City regions have seen a small growth in their case rates, according to Khaldun. Hertel said the continuing trends in positivity, hospitalization and case rates allowed further re-engagement.

Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday on the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan -- loosening restrictions on restaurants and several other parts of the economy. AdWhy restrictions were loosenedNew MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel spoke about why Michigan decided to loosen these COVID-19 restrictions. That means there is likely “undetected spread occurring in the community.”Last week, Michigan had confirmed 314 cases of the variant across 19 counties. She said Gordon and his team were instrumental in the way Michigan battled COVID-19, saving thousands of lives. Ad“Robert Gordon and his team were an incredible important part of our response, and I appreciated his service to our state,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Tuesday, loosening many of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants, businesses, entertainment venues and more. You can watch the full replay of the briefing above. Whitmer was joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as well as MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. READ: Michigan loosens COVID restrictions on restaurants -- here are all the details

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued Interim Guidance for Athletics following its epidemic order announced last week to allow contact sports to resume starting Monday. If masks cannot be worn, participants must be regularly tested for COVID-19 consistent with guidelines issued by MDHHS. Sports organizers are encouraged to administer a testing program even if it is not required. Even when not required, we urge teams to implement a testing program to protect athletes, coaches and their families.”AdIt is recommended that spectators are limited to two per athlete. Additional recommendations included in the MDHHS guidance include:

LANSING, Mich. – State health officials said Friday that Michigan has capacity to vaccinate up to 80,000 people a day but the supply of COVID-19 doses, while higher in recent weeks, remains limited. It “correlates extremely closely with the communities that were hardest hit by COVID-19 in the spring,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director of the state health department. Read: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phasesAdThe city of Detroit, for instance, was an early hot spot. Gretchen Whitmer has targeted getting 50,000 shots into arms per day, Khaldun said 80,000 would be achievable with enough supply. Related: Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say it’s not working

LANSING, Mich. – Friday brought even more confusion for Michiganders attempting to schedule a coronavirus vaccination appointment -- particularly over the phone. Original Story: Michigan health director says to call 211 for vaccine appointments, but callers say it’s not workingMultiple viewers said they called in and were unable to get through. One viewer said 211 gave them a recorded message that 211 was not scheduling vaccinations and another said the phone rang for 25 minutes with no answer. Michigan senior residents have been struggling to receive their vaccines. People 60-years-old and older account for 24% of the confirmed cases in Michigan but are 90% of the confirmed deaths.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is strategizing on how to make sure every resident is vaccinated quickly. Johnson & Johnson asked U.S. regulators Thursday for emergency approval of its vaccine -- the world’s first single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, an easier-to-use option that could boost scarce supplies. If approved, there would be a third vaccine option and more doses available to residents. Please be patient as we work with local health departments and hospital systems to deliver tje vaccine to every community in the state. Lynn Sutfin, MDHHS Public Information OfficerREAD: Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top health official is asking residents to avoid gathering with others for Super Bowl parties due to the threat of spreading COVID-19. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Thursday (Feb. 4) that Michiganders should not let their guard down for Super Bowl Sunday. Ad“This Super Bowl Sunday, please avoid gatherings, and if you do gather, please keep it limited to only one other household, and make sure you’re wearing a mask, socially distancing and washing your hands frequently,” Khaldun said. But Khaldun said it’s important not to let the Super Bowl cause a spike in cases that could make the state move backwards.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan has confirmed 28 total cases of the COVID-19 B117 variant in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, according to state officials. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said during Gov. “This variant is more easily spread from person to person,” Khaldun said. “If this variant becomes more common, as national experts predict it could, then we could see a very rapid rise in cases and more hospitalizations and deaths.”So far, 28 cases of the B117 variant have been identified in Michigan, all in Washtenaw and Wayne counties, Khaldun said. The B117 variant, which was traced back to the United Kingdom, has already shut down the entire University of Michigan athletic department.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s most important COVID-19 numbers are once again trending in the right direction, according to the state’s top doctor. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, provided updated numbers Thursday (Feb. 4) during Gov. The Detroit, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions all have case rates below 150 cases per million people, according to Khaldun. AdRight now, 6.6% of the state’s hospital beds are filled with COVID-19 patients, according to Khaldun. “Michiganders are doing their part by wearing masks, avoiding gatherings and socially distancing.”On Thursday, state officials announced 1,358 new COVID-19 cases and 74 additional deaths.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed Thursday that more than 1 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered across the state. By the end of Wednesday, the state had administered exactly 1,076,545 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the governor. “That number is going up as we speak,” Whitmer said. AdOfficials wanted to make teachers eligible for vaccination after setting a goal of offering in-person learning to all students by March 1.

Basketball is among the sports allowed to resume Monday at the youth level in Michigan. LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials announced Thursday that youth contact sports will be allowed to resume next week. They were asked whether a COVID-19 outbreak among sports teams could lead to a shutdown if it threatens in-person learning. She reiterated that MDHHS will watch the COVID-19 numbers and monitor potential outbreaks closely. For contact sports to resume, masks must be worn during practices and competition, Whitmer said.

Gretchen Whitmer provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 situation, addressing high school contact sports, the spread of a COVID variant, vaccinations and the latest virus trends. Khaldun and Whitmer were asked about balancing the resumption of sports and the risk of COVID-19 spread that could lead to students not being able to go to school. Michigan COVID metricsKhaldun revealed promising movement with Michigan’s three most important COVID-19 metrics. AdOn Thursday, state officials announced 1,358 new COVID-19 cases and 74 additional deaths. B117 variantThe new variant of COVID-19, B117, which shut down the University of Michigan athletic department for two weeks, is still a concern for officials.

Basketball is among the contact sports allowed to resume under the new order. LANSING, Mich. – Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume practices and games starting on Monday (Feb. 8), with certain COVID-19 safety rules in place, Gov. For contact sports to resume, masks must be worn at all times during practices and competition, Whitmer said. Hertel said additional guidances will be released by Monday to help teams and parents prepare to resume under the new rules. ‘Let Them Play’ respondsThe attorney for the Let Them Play Michigan coalition released the following statement following the announcement that contact sports will resume:“Let Them Play Michigan appreciates Director Hertel’s efforts to move this important issue forward in a timely manner.

Gretchen Whitmer will provide an update Thursday on the handling of COVID-19 in the state. This live stream has ended. AdA new variant of COVID-19 -- B117 -- has also been confirmed in Washtenaw and Wayne counties. On Wednesday, state officials announced 1,383 new COVID-19 cases and 32 additional deaths. Michigan has now confirmed 563,893 cases and 14,704 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said it is moving forward with offering a voluntary COVID-19 testing program to educators. Officials said the MI Safe Schools Testing Program, which began Tuesday, will provide weekly tests for educators at private and public schools. Approximately 300 schools and 9,000 staff members have signed up for testing so far. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. Everyone has a role to play in ending this pandemic.”The state paused high school in-person learning in November.

A lawsuit against the state of Michigan’s health director claims the state’s stoppage of high school sports amid the pandemic may have directly led to the tragic death of a teen hockey player. The suit filed in the Michigan Court of Claims is on behalf of a list of Michigan high school athletes and their families -- collectively “Let Them Play Michigan, Inc.” -- and the Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League (MAYHL). They want high school sports including basketball, wrestling, hockey and competitive cheer to resume immediately. Specifically, MDHSS offers no data – nor can it – to support the lines it’s drawn prohibiting high school athletics but permitting collegiate and professional athletics.”Right now, only certain sports, including football, are allowed to compete at Michigan high schools. Let Them Play, Inc. had been threatening the lawsuit unless winter high school sports were resumed by Monday, Feb. 1, the same say the MHSAA says winter contact sports started in 38 other states.

LANSING, Mich. – Parents and student athletes rallied in Lansing Saturday to urge state officials to resume winter sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. “The kids need to play. “Going forward, these kids need something. “The opportunities that these kids are missing out on are building relationships with their friends and community,” Hutson said. It’s absolutely terrible.”More: Michigan parents set to file lawsuit demanding restart of high school sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association is pushing for high school sports to resume before the current Feb. 21 deadline. There was a legislative hearing Thursday that resulted in an unanimous senate resolution that said high school sports should start earlier. The Michigan High School Athletic Association’s executive director, Mark Uyl, held a press conference Friday where he said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. AdMark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan High School Athletic Association spoke out Friday on the hiatus of winter sports in the state. They are asking for the state to resume practice and competition in the four main contact sports sooner than the Feb. 21 deadline. Let Them Play, Inc. has been threatening a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are resumed by Monday. Mark Uyl, with MSHAA, said their data suggests high school sports are good and not a problem. More: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sports

Shortly after former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned on Jan. 22, Elizabeth Hertel was named the new director. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Hertel minutes after Gordon tweeted his resignation. “Our real challenge, the real barrier right now, is the number of vaccines we have actually coming in to the state. We have a lot of the infrastructure, the providers to be able to do the vaccine administration all over the state. “We’ve been working actively with both the local health departments and the hospital systems across the state to bring them together for that sort of coordination between the health systems and the local health departments,” Hertel said.

LANSING, Mich. – A group of high school parents is preparing to sue the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services director, demanding indoor sports be reinstated by next week. The health department has not indicated it’s interested in reinstating indoor sports. READ: Detroit schools superintendent urges Whitmer to resume high school contact sportsThe group, Let Them Play, Inc. sent a letter to new MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel. It’s promising a lawsuit unless winter high school sports are reopened by next Monday. Kampe tweeted that he wanted to see high school sports opened back up.

Gretchen Whitmer is assuring residents that everyone in the state who wants to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to do so. Distribution of the vaccine has been a struggle around the country, but Whitmer reported progress Monday in the state’s process. Whitmer’s update on COVID-19 in MichiganShe said while only 44% of Michigan’s controlled vaccine supply had been administered two weeks ago, that number has risen to 67%, as of Monday. State officials said they’re still working to get enough vaccines for everyone in phases 1A and 1B to get their first doses. “Once we have the vaccines that we need, every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get the vaccine,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – During an update on Michigan’s COVID-19 situation Monday, state officials provided some promising signs and some causes for concern. Whitmer’s update on COVID-19 in MichiganMichigan’s case rate is at 203 cases per million people, she said. New COVID variant in Michigan: 13 cases in Washtenaw County, 4 cases in Wayne CountyKhaldun thinks this is just the beginning of the spread. Gretchen Whitmer reported progress on the state’s vaccine distribution, saying 67% of the state-controlled supply has been administered, while the rest is scheduled. “There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, we are still in the tunnel,” Whitmer said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top doctor reported mostly positive news Monday when she updated the state’s most important COVID-19 metrics. Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state’s metrics are showing signs of improvement. Whitmer’s update on COVID-19 in MichiganMichigan’s case rate is at 203 cases per million people, she said. New COVID variant in Michigan: 13 cases in Washtenaw County, 4 cases in Wayne CountyOne cause of concern is the new variant of the virus. Khaldun is worried about how the spread of the variant will affect the case, positivity and hospitalization rates.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials said they hope the state won’t have to move backward in the reopening process due to the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, but they have to continue monitoring the numbers. Whitmer’s update on COVID-19 in MichiganAs of Monday afternoon, Michigan officials had confirmed 17 cases of the new variant -- 13 in Washtenaw County and four in Wayne County. The spread of the B.1.1.7 variant of the virus has already caused a two-week shutdown of the University of Michigan athletic department. State officials are hoping more restrictions aren’t necessary. Michigan restaurants are set to resume indoor dining Feb. 1 for the first time since an MDHHS order went into effect in mid-November.

LANSING, Mich. – When Michigan health director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned last week, Gov. Whitmer’s update on COVID-19 in MichiganNew MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel joined Whitmer for the briefing, but most of the questions were about Gordon. “I don’t think I have anything to add with regard to my comments about the former director,” Whitmer said. I wish Robert Gordon the very best. It has been a long, impossible-to-imagine experience, and I’m grateful that we had his leadership for two years and I’m wishing him very best-of-luck as he moves forward.”

Gretchen Whitmer was asked Monday about the ban on certain Michigan high school contact sports and whether they might be allowed to resume in the near future. Right now, only certain sports, including football, are allowed to compete at Michigan high schools. This has become a controversial topic across the state as the governor urges all schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. On Monday, during a COVID-19 briefing, Whitmer was asked about contact sports resuming. “I was wondering if there’s any way you could set a date certain for contact sports to resume,” a reporter said.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials have identified a total of 17 confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant in the state. On Monday afternoon, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said 13 cases have been identified in Washtenaw County and four cases have been identified in Wayne County. The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, is more easily spread from person to person, but it doesn’t appear to cause more severe disease, Khaldun said. An outbreak in the variant has caused a two-week shutdown of the University of Michigan athletic department. The variant, first identified in the United Kingdom, was confirmed in a resident who returned to Michigan from the UK, health officials said.

“Once we have the vaccines that we need, every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get the vaccine,” Whitmer said. New health director speaksMDHHS Director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned Friday, and Whitmer quickly appointed Elizabeth Hertel to fill the role. Hertel joined Whitmer for Monday’s briefing, and offered her first comments since taking over as Michigan’s health director. “I don’t think I have anything to add with regard to my comments about the former director,” Whitmer said. “I think it’s important to point out (the variant) and the seriousness and the high contagious aspects of this variant,” Whitmer said.

Gretchen Whitmer provided an update Monday on the state’s handling of COVID-19. The state is one week away from a new version of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order going into effect. On Feb. 1, the revised restrictions will allow restaurants to reopen for indoor dining, stadiums to welcome more fans and more. Click here to read the full details of the revised MDHHS order. On Monday, Whitmer was joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive of MDHHS, and new MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel.

Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at 4:Michigan health director abruptly resigns -- Here’s who’s replacing himElizabeth Hertel has been named the new director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, replacing Robert Gordon, who resigned Friday. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Hertel as the new Michigan health director minutes after Gordon tweeted his resignation.

Elizabeth Hertel has been named the new director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, replacing Robert Gordon, who resigned Friday. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Hertel as the new Michigan health director minutes after Gordon tweeted his resignation. I look forward to the next chapter.”LATEST: Michigan health director Robert Gordon announces resignation“Robert Gordon has resigned from his position, and the governor has accepted his resignation,” the state release says. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Grand Valley State University and an MBA at Michigan State University. “Ending the COVID-19 pandemic is going to take hard work and partnership between state, government, businesses and organizations across the state,” Whitmer said.