MICHIGAN HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be distributing 10 million free KN95 masks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday.

Michigan’s health officials have identified 138 new coronavirus outbreaks over the last week, including 37 tied to long-term care facilities and 26 in K-12 schools. Region 2N (Macomb, Oakland and St. Clair counties): 164 clusters, with 40 new and 124 ongoing outbreaks. Region 2S (city of Detroit and Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties): 110 clusters, with 14 new and 96 ongoing outbreaks. 24 clusters (two new and 22 ongoing) linked to private social gatherings, such as a wedding, funeral or party. Related: 92 infected in new coronavirus outbreaks at 26 institutions, says Michigan’s Jan. 25 school outbreak reportBelow is an interactive map showing both new and ongoing outbreaks listed in the Monday, Jan. 25, report.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is emphasizing the importance of COVID-19 testing after an outbreak on the University of Michigan campus. READ: Michigan Athletics put on pause -- Athletes, coaches, team-staff asked to quarantineFive cases of the highly-contagious variant B.1.1.7 are linked to the university’s athletics department. Some students at the University aren’t too thrilled at the fact that sports have been suspended due to the new variant of coronavirus. Washtenaw County Health Department Medical Director Juan Luis Marquez said the suspension is necessary to make sure no one else is being placed at risk since the new variant is easier to spread from person-to-person. “Hopefully we just stay safe and kids get vaccinated and then later in February, we’ll be able to resume as normal.”Related: Michigan health officials concerned over COVID variantsResidents can find COVID-19 test sites in their communities on Michigan’s official website..

Jan. 23, 2021: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 548,069; Death toll now at 14,291Health officials identified a confirmed variant case in a Wayne County man Saturday. All Michigan Athletic team members -- student athletes, coaches and team staff -- have been asked to immediately isolate or quarantine until further notice. MORE: Tracking COVID-19 weekly growth factor by Michigan county“The new variant is present in Michigan and we are at risk of seeing more spread of COVID-19. It is possible that there are more B.1.1.7 cases in Michigan that have not been identified. Related: UK chief scientist says new virus variant may be more deadly

LANSING, Mich – Michigan health officials have issued several coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations that mirror those previously put in place by Gov. The Supreme Court ruled that the 1945 law Whitmer used to issue orders without the approval of legislators unconstitutional. Mask rulesMasks must be worn during any gatherings at businesses, offices, schools, childcare facilities, sporting events and other non-residential events, officials said. Capacity limitsIn every Michigan region except for Region 6 (the Traverse City Region), gatherings at retail stores, libraries and museums can’t exceed 50% of the maximum capacity. Local health departments and law enforcement officers are authorized to investigate and enforce the terms of this order.

Michigan health officials have confirmed the state’s first human case of West Nile virus for 2020 in a Wayne County resident. “Whether you’re talking about West Nile, EEE or any other mosquito-borne disease, people and animal owners should take every precaution necessary to prevent infection,” state veterinarian Nora Wineland said. MORE: MHSAA reinstates fall football, other high school sports in MichiganIn 2019, 12 human cases of West Nile virus were reported, including two deaths. Most people who become infected with West Nile virus won’t develop symptoms, but some could become sick three to 15 days after exposure. Here are some recommended steps to avoid West Nile virus, EEE and other mosquito-borne diseases:

Gretchen Whitmer is continuing to defend her policy that places patients who test positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) in nursing homes with healthy residents. Officials with the Michigan Health Department said more than one-third of the states nearly 6,000 coronavirus deaths came from nursing homes. READ: Heres everything thats reopening this week in MichiganFlorida, which has a much larger senior population, decided not to commingle COVID-19 positive patients with COVID-19 negative seniors. He now has a bill that would keep the positive patients out of Michigan nursing homes. Lucido wants Whitmer to dedicate one facility for recovering COVID-19 patients.

DETROIT – Michigan health officials have confirmed the state’s fourth death caused by a vaping-related lung injury. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services learned Wednesday about a Michigan man’s death. No other information about the man was revealed, but his death was linked to the outbreak of e-cigarettes or vaping, officials said. That number includes 64 deaths in 28 states, health officials said. The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as strongly associated with vaping-related lung injury.

ROMULUS, Mich. – There are new concerns about the coronavirus in Metro Detroit. The Michigan Health Department is investigating three possible cases of the coronavirus in Michigan. It comes as China is reporting more than 1,200 virus cases there with 41 deaths. With coronavirus spreading across China and making its way to the U.S., health officials in Michigan want people to be aware. They should continue to use precautions like they would any other health threat, including the flu or the common cold,” Sutfin said.