INGHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

As the omicron wave of COVID-19 appears to be subsiding, county health officials across the state are rescinding school mask mandates. On Friday, Oakland County, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department in northern Michigan and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, which covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties, announced they would lift requirements masks are worn in school settings. The Washtenaw County Health Department also announced Friday it would eliminate its COVID-19 school masks, isolation and quarantine requirements, effective Feb. 28. RELATED: See which Michigan public school districts currently mandate masksThe northwest Michigan health department cited falling per-capita case counts, hospitalization rates that did not rise as quickly as infection rates and child vaccine availability. “Parents have had ample opportunity to get their eligible school-age children vaccinated,” states a health department news release.

But, as weather conditions worsen in the winter, more people seek help from homeless shelters where a warm bed is available, away from the cold elements. Over the course of the pandemic, homeless shelters have had to manage taking in new guests from the streets while having the added pressure of keeping one of the most vulnerable populations safe. He said the homeless shelters he’s contacted have been giving him “the run around” in connecting him with the resources needed to get him into permanent housing. The report found a 19% decrease in Michigan’s homeless population prior to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2020. By doing so, more individuals and families can retain secure living situations which puts less strain on homeless shelters as a result.

The Ingham County Health Department issued two public health orders Thursday including one that mandates the use of face masks inside school buildings and during other educational settings.

INGHAM COUNTY — The Potter Park Zoo will give families free admission if one member is vaccinated at the zoo’s clinic. The zoo, located at 1031 Pennsylvania Avenue in Lansing, is hosting Ingham County Health Department in administering Pfizer vaccines. The vaccine is available for anyone age 12 and up. The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. If one family member gets vaccinated, the family can enter the zoo free of charge, according to a Twitter post from the zoo.

Starting Monday, all Michigan residents are welcome to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at the Michigan State University Pavilion clinic operated by the Ingham County Health Department in partnership with the college. The site is a drive-thru only clinic, and appointments are available as early as this week.

Michigan State University said it will be opening a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for registered students beginning Friday.

The Ingham County Health Department is urging some schools within the county to avoid in-person learning for one week as coronavirus spread worsens throughout the state.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – A new emergency order is slightly easing restrictions on outdoor gathering sizes in East Lansing near Michigan State University (MSU) starting Friday as the state begins to relax some coronavirus restrictions. Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail on Thursday issued an emergency order that limits outdoor gatherings to no more than 15 people in parts of East Lansing, including the downtown area, effective Friday, March 5. AdThe latest emergency order is replacing an order issued in October of last year that limited outdoor gathering sizes in the area to 10 people. “For the time being, we must remain vigilant when it comes to COVID-19 safety measures,” said East Lansing Mayor Aaron Stephens. Indoor gathering sizes in Michigan are currently limited to up to 15 people from no more than three households.

Ingham County, Mich. – Rising case counts across Ingham County and the state of Michigan indicate widespread community transmission of COVID-19, necessitating a change in strategy regarding containment of the virus. Case investigators at the Ingham County Health Department will prioritize outreach to high-risk cases and settings going forward. The percent of people who test positive for COVID-19 has also more than doubled in the past month growing from approximately 4% to 9%. Our COVID-19 Data section tracks many of the key data points health officials are watching closely every single day. Track key COVID-19 data points in Michigan:

LANSING, Mich. – New emergency orders issued Sunday will require Ingham County residents to continue following coronavirus safety requirements, regardless of the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling on Gov. Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail issued four new emergency orders on Sunday to “keep several COVID-19 protections in place” just after the state Supreme Court struck down Gov. “Protecting Ingham County residents is a responsibility that I take very seriously. Ingham County’s four new emergency orders can be viewed at the following links: Ingham2020-21, Ingham2020-22, Ingham2020-23, Ingham2020-24. The Ingham County Health Department said Sunday that Vail has the authority to issue the orders under Michigan Law MCL 333.2453.

EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State University has updated its COVID-19 dashboard to reflect the Ingham County Health Department’s number of positive cases in the MSU community, after the university and health department previously had very different data. Earlier this week, MSU was reporting on its COVID-19 dashboard that the university had less than 600 positive coronavirus cases since July 27 — less than half of what the Ingham County Health Department was reporting for the university. The university originally wasn’t taking the health department’s numbers because officials said they had to verify the cases were indeed MSU students, Linda Vail, Ingham County Health Department health officer, said. Vail said she told the university she couldn’t give them a list of names just to make sure their data is correct. READ MORE:Breaking down Michigan State football’s new scheduleCollege coronavirus outbreaks ‘gravely concern’ Michigan public-health officialsMel Tucker embracing more uncertainty as Michigan State moves into potentially bumpy season

EAST LANSING, MI – Eleven additional houses are now required to quarantine for the next two weeks for known coronavirus exposure, the Ingham County Health Department announced Thursday. This comes as the city, home to Michigan State University, has seen a 315% increase in total case count since Sept. 1, health officials said. As of Thursday, 25 Greek life houses and 14 large rental houses are under the mandatory quarantine. Ingham County has the highest COVID-19 risk in the entire state of Michigan. MSU students living locally but not in the mandatory quarantine houses have still been asked to self-quarantine in the next several weeks to prevent further spread.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department has ordered residents of 39 large houses in East Lansing to self-quarantine amid an ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak among the Michigan State University community. “The current situation deeply concerns me for the MSU and East Lansing communities,” Vail said. We are truly in a crisis situation, especially in East Lansing. We must do all we can to contain the outbreak.”Of the total 39 large houses currently placed under mandatory quarantine in East Lansing, 25 are fraternity and sorority houses and 14 are large rental houses. The university announced 124 new COVID-19 cases among MSU students during the week of Aug. 31 through Sept. 8.

Michigan State students react to mandatory quarantineThe Ingham County Health Department is taking action after seeing a spike in cases since Michigan State University students headed back to East Lansing. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 112,612 as of Monday, including 6,601 deaths, state officials report. New COVID-19 cases and deaths remain flat in Michigan. Here’s a look at more of the data:Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schoolsMichigan has started tracking coronavirus outbreaks in schools across the state. Data on COVID-19 outbreaks is being collected from the 45 local health departments across the state weekly.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department is taking action after seeing a spike in cases since Michigan State University students headed back to East Lansing. Action involved placing students living in 23 fraternity and sorority houses and seven rental homes under a mandatory quarantine. The Ingham County Health Department made the decision to quarantine the entire buildings after a spike in positive cases in East Lansing this month. The majority of all new cases are MSU students. This mandatory quarantine for specific off-campus houses is another helpful tool to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Students at Michigan State University (MSU) are being asked to self-quarantine as coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continue to rise among the community. The Ingham County Health Department issued a recommendation on Saturday that all local MSU students “self-quarantine immediately to contain the outbreak." Michigan State University provides a weekly report on new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases on campus online right here . On Sept. 8, university officials said that contact tracing is being conducted for all COVID-19 cases. The Ingham County Health Department said Saturday that it will evaluate “congregate settings” to see if additional measures are warranted.

LANSING, Mich. – Ingham County health officials announced Saturday multiple coronavirus (COVID-19) cases linked to a Lansing veterinary clinic, with even more people likely exposed. Anyone who went to the clinic between those dates should watch for COVID-19 symptoms, which may develop up to 14 days after exposure, officials said. The county’s announcement comes as COVID-19 cases tied to an outbreak at an East Lansing bar continue to rise. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department Tuesday declared racism a public health crisis amid statewide and national unrest over the killing of Black Minneapolis man George Floyd. The Ingham County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to declare the public health crisis and establish an advisory board to offer solutions that address racial injustice, officials said. “Racism is rampant across the country and Ingham County needs to be on the forefront in anti-racist action,” said Bryan Crenshaw, Chair of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. MORE: Town hall addresses impact of COVID-19 on black community in Michigan“People of color are disproportionately affected by infant mortality, maternal mortality, diabetes, asthma, hypertension and even COVID-19,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail. Health disparities are the effect of a lifetime spent enduring racism in all of its forms, which compounds as it spans generations.

LANSING, Mich. – Public health officials confirmed Sunday that an Ingham County child died from influenza (flu) in January. However, the Ingham County Health Department says the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) mitigation measures have helped decrease “influenza activity”. Officials hope the steps taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are also followed to prevent the spread of the flu. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

LANSING, Mich. – Ingham County reported their first death related to coronavirus (COVID-19) on Wednesday. Related: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 9,334; Death toll rises to 337“We send our deepest condolences to the grieving family members and friends at this time,” said Ingham County Health Officer Linda S. Vail. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Prevention and TreatmentThere is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

LANSING, Mich. – The Ingham County Health Department ordered the legal occupancy load at licensed food service establishments to be reduced by 50 percent effective 5 p.m. March 16 through 5 p.m. April 5. Whitmer’s executive order to ban events and gatherings exceeding 250 people amid the growing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns in the state. Whitmer: 12 new COVID-19 cases, 45 total cases in MichiganIngham County law enforcement already committed to enforcing the ban, but Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail takes it a step further by issuing the order of a 50% decrease in occupancy load. We need proactive actions including reductions in occupancy load to stop the spread of COVID-19.”Ingham County food service establishments affected by this order include but are not limited to: restaurants, bars, church dining halls, schools, country clubs, banquet halls, catering and carry out, according to officials. Click here to download a sign from the health department to notify your customers of the new occupancy restriction.