MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Catch a nice fish lately? Want to know if it’s safe to eat? The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released its 2022 guide to eating safe fish.

Michigan health officials are encouraging residents to continue taking steps to prevent COVID-19 spread, as an omicron subvariant is expected to trigger a rise in cases.

A hospital in Detroit will no longer admit patients while it works to end an outbreak of Candida auris, according to MDHHS.

It feels like many of us put COVID-19 in the rearview mirror with the last drop in cases -- but, as much as we’d like it to stay there, we’re seeing another uptick in cases.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first influenza-related child death in Michigan for the 2021-2022 flu season.

From the start of the COVID pandemic, people with disabilities have been left out of the conversation when it comes to fighting the virus, even though they’re members of highly vulnerable communities.

We’re talking with Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, as the state adjusts its pandemic response strategy with cases slowing down.

Northville Public Schools held a special board meeting Monday (Feb. 21) night about its mask mandate, voting to make masks optional for students and staff.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is updating its COVID-19 masking guidance as the state enters a “recovery” phase following a surge in virus infections and hospitalizations.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is updating its COVID-19 masking guidance as the state enters a “recovery” phase following a surge in virus infections and hospitalizations.

FLINT, MI - The City of Flint has teamed up with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to offer COVID-19 vaccines and testing through clinics at Flint Police Mini Stations, according to a news release. Starting Monday, Feb. 2, clinics will be held thrice-weekly at three mini stations with plans to change the schedules as needed, according to the release. On Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. a clinic will be available at the Hasselbring Senior Center , located at 1002 W. Home St.From 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays the North End Mini Station at 4535 Martin Luther King Ave. will host a clinic. The South Flint Plaza Dort Mall Mini Station, located at 3600 S. Dort Highway in Suite 6, will host a clinic on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.For more information about COVID-19 vaccines or upcoming pop-up clinics, visit the Genesee County Health Department’s website here. Read more:What we’ve learned about Omicron so far, and what you need to know if you’ve been infectedNorthern Michigan murder suspect arraignedSuspicious death of baby in Grand Rapids now a criminal investigation, police say

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - An Ypsilanti-area community center near housing complexes with a high concentration of low-income renters is offering no-cost COVID testing two days a week. Ypsilanti Township is partnering with the Washtenaw County Health Department and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to make the testing available at its community center at 2025 East Clark Road, the township announced on Jan. 31. They will take place in Room 101, and signs will be posted at the community center with directions to the testing site. A privately-run PCR testing site in a former Walmart parking lot off Ellsworth Road in the township briefly appeared set to close after township officials cited it for zoning violations in January. More from The Ann Arbor News:Township will ‘stop the clock’ on Ypsilanti-area COVID testing site shutdownWhat will Ypsilanti Township do with $9.4M in COVID relief?

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

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced 250,000 COVID-19 tests will be made available to 50,000 eligible households in the city of Detroit and eight counties.

A Michigan ballot drive that was launched Monday would make it easier to vote, creating more than a week of early voting, letting all voters request an absentee ballot for future elections, and requiring prepaid postage on return envelopes.

In a virtual meeting Thursday (Jan 27), EGLE announced Stellantis has a 3-part plan to fix four odor violations and one for improper ductwork at the Mack Assembly Plant. Part of the presentation featured a toxicologist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services who reviewed air samples.

In a virtual meeting Thursday (Jan 27), EGLE announced Stellantis has a 3-part plan to fix four odor violations and one for improper ductwork at the Mack Assembly Plant. Part of the presentation featured a toxicologist with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services who reviewed air samples.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said it is committed to ensuring LGBTQ+ families feel welcome and valued as foster and adoptive parents.

MDHHS provides more than 200,000 test kits in two days with 100,000 more expected to go out this week.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has asked the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for help distributing COVID-19 test kits.

Adult doses, children’s doses and booster shots will be available.

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.

The new guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that you should isolate for five days if you test positive for COVID. Then, if you don’t have symptoms, you can return to school as long as you are wearing a well-fitted mask for six to 10 days.

Michigan health officials updated their K-12 school quarantine and isolation guidance to reflect updates made by the CDC.

Michigan health officials have opted to keep their current COVID quarantine, isolation guidelines after the CDC recommended cutting the amount of suggested days to quarantine in half.

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.

The latest COVID-19 variant omicron has now been identified in five counties across the state of Michigan, officials said Friday.

A 10-year-old has died after being injured in a violent Ferndale crash.

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

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 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.

County and state health officials ask the public to continue following precautions such as social distancing, wearing masks and getting vaccinated.

Despite several reports from government and election officials finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, Republican lawmakers and some voters are pushing for tighter voting laws across the U.S. -- including here in Michigan.

Pharmacies, urgent cares and doctors offices are seeing the the pre-holiday rush to get vaccinated before spending time with friends and families before the holidays.

Michigan health officials are recommending anyone above the age of 2 to wear a face mask while gathering indoors during the holiday season as the state battles the worst coronavirus spread in the nation.

As COVID cases increase across the state, U-M officials say cases on campus have "stabilized."

AAPS students and their families can get vaccinated against COVID-19 during several upcoming clinics.

Despite several reports from government and election officials finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, Republican lawmakers and some voters are pushing for tighter voting laws across the U.S. -- including here in Michigan.

Concerned parents received answers about Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for children at a town hall on Wednesday.

Most pandemic restrictions have been lifted in Michigan at this point, but that’s not stopping one group from trying to make sure they’re hard to come by in the future.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services held a virtual event on Wednesday for parents as younger children start to get vaccinated against COVID.

In 2019, more than 57,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to police in Michigan. It’s expected that many more incidents went unreported.

Here we are tracking the coronavirus in Michigan.

As Michigan schools prepare for more COVID outbreaks, school nurses are on the frontlines for thousands of students, teachers and families.

Michigan health officials are adopting a new definition of a COVID-19 school outbreak that lifts the threshold from two cases to three.

Most residents who needed to evacuate due to a gas leak at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant may return home, health officials announced Thursday afternoon.

Michigan and Wayne County officials announced Zone 2 in Flat Rock is now clear of any impact from the gas leak at the Ford Flat Rock Assembly Plant.

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.

SAGINAW TWP, MI — The Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education voted to require universal masking in its schools at a Monday, Sept. 13 special meeting, a policy that will go into effect starting next Monday, Sept. 20. STCS will become the third among Saginaw County districts to require indoor mask use among all students, staff and visitors with limited exceptions. Saginaw Public Schools began its year with a mask mandate in place, and Swan Valley Public Schools announced Tuesday it would require universal masking beginning Wednesday, Sept. 15. As of Tuesday, Saginaw Township has 19 cumulative confirmed cases among students and staff since starting classes on Monday, Aug. 30. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

For the second night in a row, Flat rock Residents were invited to a town hall meeting to discuss how the city is moving forward since a dangerous benzene chemical leak was discovered days ago.

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

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Wayne County Health Department (WCHD) are recommending residents of the Flat Rock area bounded by I-75 to the east, Gibraltar Road to the north, Cahill Road to the west and Woodruff Road to the south evacuate their homes until further notice due to the potential risks caused by fumes from a gasoline leak from a storage tank at Ford Motor Company’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Wayne County Health Department (WCHD) are recommending residents of the Flat Rock area bounded by I-75 to the east, Gibraltar Road to the north, Cahill Road to the west and Woodruff Road to the south evacuate their homes until further notice due to the potential risks caused by fumes from a gasoline leak from a storage tank at Ford Motor Company’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant.

FLINT, MI -- State health officials have started traveling door-to-door in Flint, offering to test newly blended water that’s being distributed in the city. Flint recently completed construction of a $17-million connector pipeline, allowing it to import treated water from the Genesee County water system. To ensure the water from the county is kept fresh and immediately available, the city is blending 5 percent county water with 95 percent GLWA water continuously in case county water is needed to fully supply the city in case of an emergency involving the delivery of GLWA water. MDHHS said those who agree to have their water samples will receive results in approximately two to four weeks, but the department will call a resident as soon as possible if the tests identify problems with water samples. Read more:After delays, water blending starts in FlintFlint’s water isn’t perfect, but testing shows continued reduction in lead7 years after Flint water crisis started, pipe replacement nears end but other issues drag on

The Michigan Bridge Card system will be down from approximately 11:30 p.m. Saturday to 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan’s health officials have stopped short of issuing a mask mandate for schools, instead strongly recommending local districts adopt such policies on their own.

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.

Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced earlier on Friday that the state is dropping its outdoor mask mandate for Michiganders, the Michigan High School Athletic Association is following suit. While individuals may opt to wear a face mask, there is no longer a requirement that face masks be worn outdoors by any player, coach, team personnel, official or spectators. For fully vaccinated individuals, face masks are no longer required during indoor activity. For all individuals not fully vaccinated, all indoor activity continues to require a face mask. From the May 15 order, the indoor face mask requirement for non-vaccinated individuals is set to expire on July 1.

COVID-19 test change is for staff at skilled nursing facilities, homes for the aged, adult foster care facilities, per state health department.

The owner of a Gaylord restaurant that was forced to close after defying state bans on in-person dining and other coronavirus protocols has filed a lawsuit against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Morea than 3.5 million Michigan residents have gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Among them, more than 2.3 million residents had been fully vaccinated as of Wednesday. The interactive map below shows the number of adults per capita who have received as least one dose of vaccine so far. In total, Michigan has received 7,494,045 vaccine doses to date, though the state health department only has control over about 5.78 million doses and where they go. The other 1.6 million doses have bypassed the state and gone straight to long-term care facilities and retail pharmacies as part of federal programs.

“If we are quarantining the right people in the right situations, then everyone is following the proper steps. “What we’re seeing so far is that 4,500 student-athletes have gotten official results and only 59 have come back positive. “Schools are doing the right things to go into quarantine to get things taken care of and to come out 10-14 days later and are back to playing games. “The spring season being outside should make that particular season easier to manage and get through,” said Kimmerly. “We’ve sent out testing to schools and they are the ones who decide which teams get testing and which don’t,” she said.

KALAMAZOO, MI — The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team, or MPART, and the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport will update residents on its investigation of PFAS contamination found near the airport. Last year, the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport applied for and received a state grant to test the soil and groundwater around the airport for PFAS as a proactive step to determine if any of the ground around the airport contained the contaminants, at at what levels. Contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport was found in several areas around the airport. The meeting will be recorded and posted along with the meeting materials within a few days, and can be viewed on the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team’s web site. Read more:Michigan to adopt PFAS drinking water limits after new rules clear legislatureMichigan has more PFAS sites than other states.

On Tuesday morning, the Let Them Play group finally filed a lawsuit it had been threatening against the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in hopes of reinstating winter contact sports competition as soon as possible. Football season was eventually reinstated in September and Let Them Play had organized rallies at the state Capitol building. Still, Let Them Play is one of many plaintiffs listed as Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League, LLC (MAYHL). Initially, the goal for Let Them Play was to have winter sports reinstated by Feb. 1 at the latest. “According to recent data from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, those actions likely prevented over 100,000 new cases and 1,960 or more deaths.

click to enlarge ShutterstockLet Them Play, a group advocating for the full return of high school sports in Michigan, has filed a lawsuit against the state’s health department.The lawsuit filed in the Michigan Court of claims argues the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) violated the U.S. Constitution, Michigan constitution, and state law when it forbid contact sports until at least Feb. 22.The winter sports season was scheduled to begin Monday. "The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Governor Whitmer took decisive action during the recent surge of COVID-19 cases that threatened to overrun hospitals," MDHHS spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin toldin a statement. "According to recent data from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, those actions likely prevented over 100,000 new cases and 1,960 or more deaths. As the numbers in Michigan continue to decline, and as the governor has already indicated, the administration is reviewing current mitigation measures, including those around contact sports. "She added, "As to the particular lawsuit, the administration does not generally comment on litigation and does not make decisions based on lawsuits, but on data and the ongoing advice of public health experts."

The Michigan high school sports fall season finally concluded last weekend with the football state finals on Friday and Saturday, but now there are more questions than answers regarding the fate of winter and spring sports. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday morning that an extension to the indoor contact sports pause for winter sports. MLive takes a look at where the fate of high school sports in Michigan stands as of Monday. MORE:Let Them Play prepares to take battle for Michigan high school sports to the courtsMichigan Health Department responds to why certain high school sports can’t competeMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses high school contact sports in press conferenceMHSAA executive director surprised by recent rulings from state governmentSome high school winter sports may be delayed until late February

Michigan High School Athletic Association executive director Mark Uyl was as surprised as many coaches, players and administrators Friday morning when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) pushed back the start date for winter contact sports in Michigan. Whitmer and the MDHHS announced that winter contact sports such as girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer, ice hockey and wrestling must remain non-contact through Feb. 21. “We did not anticipate this delay in winter contact practices and competition, and today’s announcement has created many new questions. However, no additional tickets will be sold for today and Saturday’s 11-Player Football Finals at Ford Field.

FLINT, MI -- Flint water crisis prosecutors are holding back many of the details connected to new criminal charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder and eight others but appear to have laser focused on the connection between Flint water and outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease in the area in making the charges. MDHHS had previously identified exposure to McLaren Flint hospital -- not Flint water -- as the only explanation for the surge in Legionnaires’ cases during the water crisis, a claim the hospital has maintained amounted to making it a scapegoat for the outbreaks. Snyder, 8 others criminally charged, accused of trampling trust of Flint people‘This indictment is a travesty,’ attorney for key official in Flint water case saysFormer Gov. Rick Snyder charged with willful neglect of duty in Flint water crisisFlint residents ‘hopeful’ water crisis charges against Snyder, other officials will bring justice‘There are no velvet ropes,’ AG’s office says as former officials are charged in Flint water crisis

The Michigan High School Athletic Association is planning to move ahead with winter sports and claims that spring sports are a high priority as well. That was the message MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl relayed Wednesday night in an interview with MLive. Exactly what day and what days that will look like, we’re not sure yet, but obviously with next week kind of being a restart week,” Uyl said. The MHSAA allowed football practice to resume in shells – helmets and shoulder pads – but with no contact following a five-week pause after coronavirus cases surged statewide. It wasn’t until Tuesday when details were shared about the testing requirements, and that’s when miscommunication or misunderstanding between the MHSAA and MDHHS became apparent.

A truck backs into the loading dock of the Pfizer Global Supply manufacturing plant in Portage, Michigan, U.S., Dec. 11. Photo: Rebecca Cook/ReutersMICHIGAN – A few days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, trucks carrying the vaccine left the company’s plant in Portage, Michigan on Sunday. But FDA scientists “feel comfortable” that Americans should get the vaccine unless they have known allergies to other vaccines or the ingredients in the Pfizer vaccine. Those Americans are recommended to speak to their doctors about the COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is noted to have normal side effects associated by other vaccines, including redness and soreness at the inject site, fatigue, and mild fever.

(CBS DETROIT) – Michigan expects to receive doses of COVID-19 vaccines this month. Michigan has averaged a little over 56,500 tests per day last week compared to over 59,000 tests per day this week. Once they are approved, the department is expected to receive a “limited allocation” of the vaccines and expects to receive shipments every week. COVID-19 vaccination reminder cards will be provided to you when you receive the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, health care providers or health systems may also have other methods in place to help remind you of when to return for your second dose.

The partial shutdown that barred indoor dining and in-person instruction for high schools and colleges will continue for another 12 days, Gov. The order, put in place by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon, was slated to expire Dec. 8. The three-week pause, which was originally slated to end Dec. 8., banned things like indoor dining and in-person instruction at high schools and colleges. More on MLive:Michigan governor expected to announce short-term extension to partial shutdownAs Michigan’s three-week COVID-19 ‘pause’ nears its end, will Whitmer extend it? Michigan restaurant owners weigh pros and cons of reopening in defiance of state order

High school sports are playing the waiting game. But the Michigan High School Athletic Association isn’t just sitting idly. That plan has the 11-player football finals being played Dec. 28-29 at Ford Field and the eight-player football finals contested Dec. 21-22 at Midland Community Stadium. Uyl said his organization is concerned about mental health issues of student-athletes and is eager to give them the benefits of playing high school sports. So, for now, the wait continues for the MHSAA and high school sports.

SAGINAW, MI - You’ll need to work around some new closures if you have business to take care of with Saginaw city limits. “This is a necessary step to protect our employees, our citizens and overall public health,” said City Manager Tim Morales. “We are working closely with all employees to ensure essential city services will continue; however, we are using extreme caution. The Saginaw County Health Department previously issued a statement earlier this month saying that cases are “exploding” in the county. Saginaw County also previously announced that all county governmental facilities, including the Saginaw County Courthouse and Governmental Center, 111 S. Michigan Ave., will be closed to the public.

Gretchen Whitmer announced three weeks of new COVID-19 restrictions Sunday night amid spiking numbers of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations in Michigan. Families are encouraged to get together outside, self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if symptoms exist, according to a state health document. The state also defined what a “social pod” is, and how maintaining one can mitigate risk of COVID-19 spread. Gordon noted that the public health orders are derived from legislative action taken in Michigan in 1918 after the Spanish Flu. The Public Health Code Act, passed by the legislature in 1978, further allowed for public health emergency orders to be made.

MONTCALM COUNTY, MI -- A Montcalm County resident diagnosed with Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) has died, state health leaders said. The person is the second human case of EEE in Michigan. It’s the first animal case of EEE in the Upper Peninsula this year. More from MLiveMichigan finishes aerial mosquito treatments, 462,000 acres sprayed to control EEEState confirms first human case of mosquito-borne EEEGov. has no authority to continue state of emergency, Michigan Supreme Court rules

A 2-month-old from Michigan died this week of COVID-19 and is believed to be the state's youngest victim of the virus. A 2-month-old from Michigan died this week of COVID-19 and is believed to be the state’s youngest victim of the virus. “Children are not spared from this disease,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, at a news conference Wednesday. “This baby is the youngest person that we know of to pass away due to COVID- 9,” said Bob Wheaton, a spokesman for the MDHHS. However, he could not say how many children overall have died of COVID-19 in Michigan.

A 2-month-old from Michigan died this week of COVID-19 and is believed to be the state's youngest victim of the virus. ***EARLIER NEWS REPORT****A 2-month-old from Michigan died this week of COVID-19 and is believed to be the state’s youngest victim of the virus. “This baby is the youngest person that we know of to pass away due to COVID- 9,” said Bob Wheaton, a spokesman for the MDHHS. “Michigan is fortunate to have had only one death of a child under age 1,” Wheaton said. However, he could not say how many children overall have died of COVID-19 in Michigan.

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