LT. GOV. GARLIN GILCHRIST

Michigan’s COVID positivity rate over the last seven days is less than 2%, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called the current case data very good in a stop in Grand Rapids on Wednesday.

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday.

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.

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.

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.

DETROIT – How would you like more money for education, health care and better roads in Michigan? Only 49% of Detroit households have responded, and Gilchrist wants people to know it’s safe to fill out the census. The census doesn’t ask any questions about citizenship, and if you’re not a citizen, you should still fill out the census because it counts everyone living in the United States. The census doesn’t share your information with law enforcement. The more people who get counted, the more money the state gets for key programs in the community.