NATASHA BAGDASARIAN

The MI Backpack Home Tests initiative is kicking off this week in Charlotte Public Schools.

The state reported this week that as of last Friday, more than 87,000 (10.5 percent) of Michigan children ages 5 to 11 have received their first dose of the

Dr. Rob Davidson had just finished his shift as an emergency room physician in West Michigan on Wednesday when he sank into the front seat...

LANSING - The state has launched a program to make free at-home COVID-19 tests to families through schools.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be issuing a face mask advisory ahead of the holidays due to the rise in COVID-19 and flu cases.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be issuing a face mask advisory ahead of the holidays due to the rise in COVID-19 and flu cases.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is asking residents to take steps to protect themselves and others this flu season.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Michiganders to get flu vaccines after Michigan's first flu outbreak of the season occurred at the University of Michigan.

MICHIGAN - The state hit an important milestone in vaccinations against COVID-19 for adults this week.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, nearly 5.7 million people have received at least one dose.

“We had talked about it for so long that there really wasn’t any hesitation from him,” said Westerhof, 39. We’re ready to start living our lives again.”Since the vaccine became available for the age group, more than 40,000 Michigan children ages 5 to 11 have gotten their first dose of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine. Around the country, the White House estimated that about 900,000 children would receive a shot during the first week its available. Data from those trials indicated the vaccine was 91% effective at preventing symptomatic illness from coronavirus, with no serious adverse reactions reported. That’s why I signed my son up for an appointment a couple weeks away.”Jackie Franklin, 36, of St. Clair County, plans to get her four children vaccinated this weekend.

The new chief health executive of Michigan, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, joins Flashpoint host Devin Scillian for the first time to discuss COVID spread in the state, and just where things stand.

Michigan’s newest chief medical executive has been on the job for just a few weeks.

Flu vaccinations are more than 26% behind where they were last year, as of the end of October, according to the state’s Flu Vaccination Dashboard. As of Nov. 10, 2,069,527 Michigan residents have received a flu vaccine, far below the state’s goal of nearly 4 million vaccinations. Combined with relaxed relaxed COVID-19 restrictions, health officials say the low vaccination rates could lead to a much rougher flu season than last year’s nearly non-existent flu season. Getting the flu vaccine by Saturday, Nov. 20 is important for staying protected during Thanksgiving gatherings, Strasz said. “Getting vaccinated now gives you your best shot for getting together in a safe way this holiday season,” Bagdasarian said.

Q: My husband had COVID in May of 2020 and lost his sense of taste and smell. Did the virus permanently damage his sense receptors and/or nerves or is the virus just living in his nerves to prevent his smell from returning? In most documented cases, the sense has returned after a few weeks/months, but there are cases in which an individual has gone years or never regained their full sense of smell. There is evidence that the combination of natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity creates a strong hybrid level of protection against COVID-19. To find a vaccine near you, eligible residents can visit Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org.

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.

The state of Michigan said it pre-ordered 287,700 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric COVID-19 vaccine.

The state of Michigan has pre-ordered 287,700 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric coronavirus vaccine as final approval is expected next week.

With the three major COVID-19 vaccines, our second pandemic winter should look a little more hopeful than the last, with Michigan case rates just starting to decline. Medical experts Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian and Dr. Emily Martin recommend staying vigilant against the virus this winter to protect friends and loved ones. Listen: Two Michigan medical experts on how to stay safe going into our second pandemic winter. She says recent COVID-19 case rates have been climbing slower than last year because of a larger vaccinated population. She says the known research behind the COVID-19 vaccine should be reassuring for those who are still hesitant to get vaccinated.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive directive to state departments and agencies to expedite ordering of the COVID-19 vaccine for kids.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive meant to expedite distribution of the Pfizer pediatric coronavirus vaccinations.

Michiganders who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose are urged to do so now.

Michiganders who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose from Johnson & Johnson or Moderna are urged to do so now.

Michigan health officials have issued a list of COVID safety recommendations for children and adults planning to trick-or-treat or celebrate Halloween this month.

A Michigan house cat has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after a close contact with its owners who were infected with coronavirus, according to state officials. The cat was tested after it began to sneeze, and it has since recovered, according to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Dr. Nora Wineland, a state veterinarian, said the case isn’t unexpected, given that other pets around the world had previously tested positive. Wineland said the cases in animals have generally involved direct contact with an owner or caretaker who was ill or tested positive for COVID-19. For more information, check out the CDC’s webpage on animals & COVID-19, here.

Michigan health officials are urging residents to get the flu vaccine for the upcoming season, setting a goal of vaccinating 4 million Michiganders.

An Ingham County cat is the first domestic pet with a confirmed COVID-19 infection in Michigan, the state announced Tuesday. The domestic shorthair cat was...

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, who stepped down last month from her role as chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of...

A top Michigan health official who resigned last month will take on a new role with CVS Health, the company reported on Monday. CVS Health announced Khaldun will join the company as vice president and chief health equity officer. Dr. Kyu Rhee, senior vice president and Aetna chief medical officer, praised Khaldun’s expertise and qualifications in a statement. In that role, she has provided oversight for public health and aging programs, Medicaid, and behavioral health for the state. Bagdasarian received her medical degree from Wayne State University and her master of public health from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the former chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, has been named the vice president and chief health equity officer of CVS Health.

Photo: ReutersMichigan marked more than 10 million “primary series” doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday. The state has also administered more than 207,000 third doses to those who are immunocompromised and booster doses to eligible individuals. “The safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is already protecting millions of Michiganders from this deadly virus,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. State health officials also recommend that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. “As of today, Michigan has surpassed 10 million doses of hope in the form of the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine,” said Governor Whitmer.

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Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the chief medical executive for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, has taken a new job outside of state government and will be replaced by Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian during a search for a permanent replacement, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for the state of Michigan and chief deputy director of health for the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, announced her resignation Friday, Sept. 24. State statute requires there to be a chief medical executive in place, but the appointment does not need consent from the legislature. Khaldun’s position within the health department -- chief deputy for health -- will need to be filled by Director Elizabeth Hertel. Whitmer said she looks forward to collaborating with her new chief medical executive in the continued fight against COVID-19. I am honored to be named the state’s chief medical executive.”Related: Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun stepped into the national spotlight as Michigan battled coronavirusBefore joining the state health department, Khaldun served as director and health officer for the Detroit Health Department.

For this reason, two local infectious disease experts join Stephen Henderson to dispel some of the myths and misinformation swirling around. Listen: Infectious disease experts talk best masking practices, vaccine safety and clear up persisting COVID -19 myths. GuestsDr. John Mills is an infectious disease specialist who practices at the Infectious Disease Clinic at the University of Michigan’s Taubman Center. “Filtration is how many particles go through that mask and then fit — how tight is it on your face? The simplest thing to do is to make sure that the fit is really good — no leaks!”

Follow Josh VanDyke on Twitter21 Michigan high school football begins administering rapid COVID-19 testsWhen high school athletes across Michigan were required to take part in a COVID-19 testing program in late December of 2020, there was widespread skepticism about how the process would operate efficiently and what the benefit of such an undertaking would be. Six months later, the 2020-21 high school sports season concluded with state champions being crowned in every varsity sport and the outlook on the 2021-22 season is more optimistic than it’s ever been. The initial results of the COVID-19 testing program from Dec. 30, 2020, through mid-January of 2021, came back with a 99.6 percent negative result rate for all high school athletes. “It’s difficult to compare the percent positivity in this testing program because we’re testing the same individuals every week, compared to PCR (polymerase chain reaction), where people are actually seeking out testing because they’re symptomatic. A lot of the high school sports testing was done as an asymptomatic screening program.

High positive test rates can mean two things: the level of virus transmission is high, and/or there isn’t enough testing being done. Last week Michigan had 42 of its 83 counties report positive test rates of 10% or higher. The graphic shows the average positive test rates for March 26 through April 1 and compares it to the prior week. There are 47 such school testing sites planned, some of which have already taken place. Additionally, the state has setup testing sites at welcome centers and airports targeted at Michiganders returning from trips out of state.

Children under 10 years old had the biggest increase in cases, followed closely by those ages 10 to 19.

Children under 10 years old had the biggest increase in cases, followed closely by those ages 10 to 19.

More than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan is once again a top U.S. hotspot for the virus — now ranking No. 1 in...

As coronavirus case rates, positivity rates and hospitalizations rates begin to surge once again in Michigan, the high school sports landscape continues to be impacted by quarantines. According to Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, a senior public health physician with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, this current surge in cases coincides with a critical juncture for high school sports moving forward. In a March 22 report from the MDHHS, there are 1,341 staff and students infected in ongoing outbreaks at 144 schools serving pre-K through high school. Because of the current surge, some worry that another high school sports shutdown is looming. MHSAA communications director Geoff Kimmerly said discussions with the MDHHS have not included the topic of implementing another pause to high school sports.

Berthiaume said he knows families are planning to travel for spring break next week. “There has been a conversation at the county level as to looking at virtual after spring break,” he said. “Especially the first week or two after spring break. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said at this time; there are 28 post-spring break school testing sessions scheduled across the state. “We’re really concerned with people that could be traveling out of state for spring break or other vacations, going to places where there is the high transmission of COVID,” she said.

“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.

Trying to figure out how to complete the fall sports season amid the coronavirus pandemic has proven difficult for Michigan high schools. However, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) believes it can be done safely through a new, pilot rapid testing program. “An opportunity came along to partner with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The tests are antigen rapid tests provided by MDHHS. Detroit Catholic Central High School’s football team is still in the playoffs, and Athletic Director Aaron Babicz said they have a tentative plan.

Thus even the worst mask can potentially limit the spread of coronavirus and prevent more serious cases. “If you’re indoors and it’s not your home, you really should be wearing a mask," Bagdasarian said. Masks that are adjustable along the bridge of the nose can help form a better fit. The best mask won’t fog up your glasses, though Axtman said even a mask that fogs up your glasses is better than no mask. If you prefer a neck gaiter to a typical face mask, Axtman recommends finding one that has two layers and a tighter weave.