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 was asked Tuesday about claims that the state’s former health director was given “hush money” when he abruptly resigned from his position in January. Ad“I don’t think I have anything to add with regard to my comments about the former director,” Whitmer said on Jan. 26. “There were not any improprieties with Director Gordon’s work,” Whitmer said. Michigan Republicans allege the money given to Gordon was “hush money,” but Whitmer said that’s not the case. “I explained the nature of a separation agreement,” Whitmer said.