PUBLIC HEALTH

Washtenaw County has returned to a "medium" COVID community level, according to the CDC.

The director of U-M’s Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats analyzes the current monkeypox outbreak.

How living in ‘survival mode’ is not a sustainable lifestyle and how experts say many of us have become accustomed to living in a heightened state of stress and anxiety.

Since the pandemic’s start, the MDHHS lab has sequenced 26,300 COVID samples. Tracking and identifying them has become a crucial tool to protect the public.

There are calls to put Betsi Cadwaladr health board's mental health services into special measures.

All public restrooms in Ann Arbor, including in bars and restaurants, must offer toilet paper, soap, paper towels, tampons and menstrual pads starting Jan. 1.

The National Cancer Institute has awarded researchers at the University of Michigan with a $13 million grant to study how exposure to environmental contaminants can impact individuals’ risk of developing cancer.

The Biosciences Initiative award will create the new Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats.

On Thursday, the Washtenaw County Health Department released a statement about the legality of its emergency orders for educational settings.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed spending $1.4 billion in federal pandemic funding to expand health care and infrastructure, including to bolster access to mental health services, replace state psychiatric hospitals and build a new public health lab.

We have been tracking the evolving responses to the call for masks inside Michigan school buildings as students and teachers head back into classrooms for the start of the 2021-22 academic year.

Spending time outdoors could have positive impacts on youth mental, physical health, according to U-M researchers.

“All of those who think you have natural immunity, you don’t,” Health Commissioner Steven Stack said. “There is no debate here. There is no two sides of the story here. There is fact and there is fallacy.”

Whitmer said she’s been in touch with Federal Emergency Management Agency and members of Congress, but disaster relief may not come in time as rain is expected to return to Metro Detroit.

On Saturday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an order declaring a state of emergency in Wayne County to help address threats to public health and safety related to heavy rainfall, which resulted in widespread flooding, power outages, flooded roadways, stranded motorists, flooding of homes, and displaced residents.

Michigan has started reporting COVID-19 test turnaround times in labs across the state.

Since the first cases of COVID-19 began to spread around the country, the term herd immunity has been used to describe the best-case scenario to overcome the pandemic.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – Another six people from Muskegon County, two of them in their 50s, recently died from COVID-19, health officials reported. The variant has been detected in at least two cases in Muskegon County, she said. In Muskegon County, fewer than half of eligible residents have at least started the vaccination process. Six Muskegon County residents who had been hospitalized died from COVID between April 20-27, Moore told MLive. Whitmer officially ties reopening measures to vaccination ratesOverall cases of COVID-19 jumped by 956 in Muskegon County between April 22-28, according to local health department statistics.

Michigan is facing another public health threat on top of COVID-19 with soaring domestic violence cases.

ANN ARBOR – New research from the University of Michigan shows that reinfections of seasonal coronaviruses are common, suggesting that the virus behind COVID-19 could be endemic. “The frequency of reinfections with the different seasonal coronaviruses suggests that SARS-COV-2 is not going to completely disappear.”AdThe researchers used data on 3,418 individuals from the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation from the years 2010-2018. Upon evaluating the data, the team found 1,004 seasonal coronavirus infections. Additionally, 27 percent of the reinfections occurred within one year of the initial infection, which researchers say is a relatively short period of time given the virus’ seasonal nature. “In our study, participants had high levels of anti-spike protein binding antibody to seasonal coronaviruses, but these antibodies did not correlate with protection from infection,” Petrie said in a release.

MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI – About 32,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Muskegon County, but help is needed in getting to individuals who live in rural or isolated settings, according to the county health director. There have been 295 deaths in Muskegon County attributed to COVID-19, with the last death reported on Thursday, Feb. 18, according to Public Health figures. The rate dropped 21 percent in Muskegon County, while it grew by 9 percent in Ottawa County, 11 percent in Kent County, 33 percent in Oceana County and 67 percent in Newaygo County. Mercy Health reported 13 individuals with COVID hospitalized in Muskegon as of Wednesday, Feb. 17. Public Health figures show there have been 1,117 cases among those ages 19 and younger.

ANN ARBOR – Researchers at the University of Michigan said that the state’s “Pause to Save Lives” mandate in mid-November likely saved thousands of lives during the holiday season. According to preliminary findings by the School of Public Health, the measures over Thanksgiving and Christmas might have prevented more than 100,000 cases of COVID-19 across the state. That translates to 2,800 lives saved based on the state’s fatality rate of 2.6%. They also determined that government response measures, including closures, public health efforts and economic supports, had an impact on case prevention. Michigan had the lowest amount of coronavirus cases in the Midwest over the holiday season.

"We have had a significant increase (of COVID cases) since Thanksgiving," Colfax said, adding there has been a 15% increase of daily cases since late November. "An increase over this next holiday period could put us over the edge into a truly catastrophic situation," Colfax said. The Bay Area region has 13.1% remaining ICU capacity with a total of 286 ICU beds at San Francisco's disposal, Colfax said, adding that 207 ICU beds are occupied with patients. Wednesday's drop in ICU capacity meant that other areas — Napa, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Solano counties — that were not following the tighter restrictions would now be under the stricter rules. After the three weeks, the order may be lifted if the region's projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%.

DETROIT – A new study from the University of Michigan is raising an alarm after it found a majority of Detroit residents don’t think they’ll choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Those from Hispanic or Latinx communities were twice as likely to say they wouldn’t get the vaccine compared to white responders. Health experts who authored the study say the results are due to high levels of distrust in the government, doctors and news throughout those communities. May is joining health officials’ in their plea to Detroiters to receive a coronavirus vaccine once one becomes available. “This is a deadly, deadly, deadly virus.”Alfonso’s family was affected numerous times by COVID-19.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine has partnered with about 100 of the country’s top health care systems urging Americans to mask up as COVID-19 cases reach record-breaking highs. Over the past two weeks, more than 900 medical workers at Mayo Clinic tested positive for COVID-19. The message reads:“As the top nationally-ranked hospitals, we know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks. However now is exactly the wrong time to let up,” Marschall S. Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine and dean of the U-M Medical School said in a statement. “But for now, we have to use the tools that we know work: wearing masks, staying socially distant and washing hands.

MUSKEGON, MI – Instructions for those who test positive for COVID-19, and those in close contact with them, have been released by the Muskegon County health department as the virus continues to quickly spread and health workers are too overwhelmed to make personal contacts. The instructions were released Thursday, Nov. 19 by Public Health – Muskegon County and explain isolation protocols for those who test positive and quarantine measures for close contacts. The health department reported another eight deaths due to COVID between Wednesday, Nov. 18, and Thursday, Nov. 19,, bringing the total to 139. The county is on the “peak of disaster,” Kathy Moore, the county’s public health director, told MLive Thursday. Related: Muskegon County, averaging 3 COVID-19 deaths per day in past week, facing ‘disaster’Contact tracers with Public Health – Muskegon County are focusing on cases among people ages 22 and younger; those in long-term care facilities, hospitals and schools; and “clusters identified as high priority,” according to the press release.

DETROIT – The outdoor ice skating rink at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit will close for at least three weeks due to new coronavirus restrictions ordered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations climb throughout the state, the MDHHS enacted a “three-week pause” that ramps up restrictions for restaurants, bars, high schools, colleges and more. From Nov. 18 through Dec. 8, Michigan restaurants and bars cannot offer indoor dining services. Officials said an update to the order on Thursday extended restrictions to include both indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks. The Rink at Campus Martius Park is slated to reopen on Dec. 9, officials said Thursday.

WASHINGTON – Members of the White House coronavirus task force held a news briefing on Thursday afternoon to discuss the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The news conference comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge across the U.S. Conditions inside the nation’s hospitals are deteriorating by the day as the coronavirus rages across the U.S. at an unrelenting pace and the confirmed death toll surpasses 250,000. The number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 in the U.S. has doubled in the past month and set new records every day this week. As of Tuesday, nearly 77,000 were hospitalized with the virus.

DETROIT – As COVID-19 cases climb rapidly across Michigan, Metro Detroit counties are among those struggling to contain coronavirus spread. County leaders didn’t appreciate being called out, but the numbers don’t lie -- coronavirus is spreading more rapidly in Oakland and Macomb counties. In Oakland County, Executive Dave Coulter says they are ready to roll out a new coronavirus response plan. Finger-pointing aside, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is treating Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties as one “region”. The Detroit Region is comprised of Genessee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne and Monroe counties.

DETROIT – In response to a newly-issued three-week shutdown, many Michigan restaurants are adding outdoor dining options to keep business flowing while meeting new statewide restrictions. Under the new restrictions, restaurants and bars can no longer offer indoor dining services until at least December 8. Carry-out and outdoor dining options are still allowed. Corktown restaurant Cork and Gabel is one of them, working to enclose their patio and ensure it is heated as winter settles in. Matthew McGrail with Cork and Gabel says the food there is one of a kind, and it’s best experienced while dining in.

GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. – The Village of Grosse Pointe Shores City Hall is closing until further notice, officials said Saturday. Grosse Pointe Shores residents can continue to contact city administration offices and the public safety department amid the building closure, officials said. The closure comes as Michigan continues to see significant increases in COVID-19 cases each day. On Saturday, the state reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 new deaths since Friday. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan has risen to a total 251,813 as of Saturday, including 7,994 total deaths.

EASTPOINTE, Mich. – Eastpointe City Hall is closing for more than a week in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Officials said Saturday that the city hall will remain closed through Nov. 22 after several employees tested positive for COVID-19. “All of these folks have been notified of possible exposure and urged to get tested.”Eastpointe City Hall is scheduled to reopen at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23. The closure comes as Michigan continues to see significant increases in COVID-19 cases each day. On Saturday, the state reported 7,072 new COVID-19 cases and 65 new deaths since Friday.

DETROIT – The Detroit Medical Center (DMC) placed temporary restrictions on inpatient visitations on Thursday amid increased coronavirus spread in Michigan. Visiting hours are now between 8 a.m to 6 p.m. daily for patients at the DMC Harper University Hospital, DMC Heart Hospital, DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, DMC Hutzel Women’s Hospital, DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital and DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital. Officials said Thursday that visitation protocols will remain the same at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. New COVID-19 cases have been increasing rapidly throughout the state in recent weeks, and virus hospitalizations have risen in response. Testing has increased in recent weeks, with more than 45,000 diagnostic tests reported per day, but the positive rate has increased to above 11% over the last week.

WARREN, Mich. – A photo taken at a local automotive plant is raising questions about how coronavirus procedures are being handled, if at all. A concerned worker at the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) assembly plant in Warren sent a photo to Local 4 that shows a hallway packed wall-to-wall with employees -- with some shoulder-to-shoulder. The photo clearly shows a lack of social distancing among plant workers. In response, FCA sent a statement to Local 4 to shed light on what occurred inside of the Warren plant Tuesday. "Masks are distributed to plant employees once they have cleared the thermal imaging station to ensure they have the proper protection before entering the plant floor.

Wayne County health officials issued a new emergency order Friday that outlines updates to emergency public health orders issued last week amid the coronavirus pandemic. Wayne County Public Health Officer Carol Austerberry issued an emergency epidemic order Friday that mimics coronavirus restrictions established in a statewide emergency health order issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on Oct. 9. “These orders are science-based measures intended to keep Wayne County residents safe and healthy during the pandemic. Businesses under the jurisdiction of the county’s health department are also required to continue screening employees for COVID-19 symptoms. Orders issued by the Wayne County Health Department are not in effect in the city of Detroit, as the city is governed by its own health department.

Gretchen Whitmer is asking for clarification on when her coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency orders will no longer be in effect. On Friday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that Whitmer did not have the authority to issue executive orders without the approval of the state legislature. Conflicting messages from different branches of the Michigan government has left many wondering when the powers will no longer be in effect. Whitmer will continue using every tool at her disposal to keep Michigan families, frontline workers, and small businesses safe from this deadly virus. During this crucial transition, we will work closely with the governor and leaders everywhere to protect our workers whose jobs were affected by COVID-19.”

Some Michigan counties are issuing local emergency orders to ensure coronavirus safety measures continue after the state Supreme Court struck down months of orders made by Gov. This is a public health advisory from the St. Clair County Health Department, not a mandate. Click here to read more about Washtenaw County’s recent emergency public health orders. The county health department issued another emergency order on Oct. 9 clarifying that some of Gov. Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans said the Wayne County Public Health Division and his administration continue to review the state Supreme Court’s ruling.

Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari is scheduled to speak at a public health forum Wednesday hosted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Kashkari will be joined by Michelle Williams, Dean of the Faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, David Williams, Professor of Public Health and Chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences as well as Margaret Hamburg, Foreign Secretary at National Academy of Medicine and former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Throughout the summer, Michigan has fared better with COVID-19 than many other states after it was initially a hot spot nationally. Whitmer credited residents for taking the virus seriously and doing “what they needed to do" in a state where the coronavirus has contributed to nearly 7,000 deaths. There is a tendency to think Michigan is unique, she said, but “we're doing what every other state is doing to keep people safe." “All of these factors will go into when it's safe to exit the state of emergency. Totten cautioned that Michigan “is not an island,” saying every state surrounding it currently has higher case rates.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two new executive orders on Saturday that extend protections for frontline workers at grocery stores, pharmacies and long-term care facilities amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. One of the new orders, 2020-178, focuses on protecting customers and staff members at grocery stores and pharmacies. Frontline workers in our hospitals, grocery stores, nursing homes, and more have put their own lives on the line to protect our families,” Whitmer said. Still, the governor’s office says that this week Whitmer is reviewing recommendations made by the state’s Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force and will implement any changes following her review. The executive orders signed Saturday are extensions of previous executive orders Whitmer enacted at the beginning of the pandemic -- which were most recently extended on August 10 and were slated to expire on September 7.

The state of Michigan plans to expand coronavirus (COVID-19) testing with more than 30 new sites across the state in the coming weeks. Additional testing sites planned for Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Niles, Saginaw and Wayne are expected to be operational in the coming weeks. Thats why we are working to remove as many barriers as possible to ensure COVID-19 testing is accessible for all Michiganders, said Gov. Additional COVID-19 testing locations will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find more no-cost testing sites in Michigan online here.

Whitmer creates Black Leadership Advisory Council to combat systemic racismPublished: August 5, 2020, 5:28 pmMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a new order and directive to address racism and to expand training for state employees.

Gretchen Whitmer signed a new order and directive to address racism and to expand training for state employees. Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-163 establishes a new government panel to advise her on the treatment of Black Michiganders. READ: Michigan declares racism public health crisis, will require implicit bias training for state employeesThis pandemic has confirmed and highlighted the deadly nature of these preexisting inequities caused by systemic racism, Whitmer said. Her solution is the creation of the Black Leadership Advisory Council within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. We have a lot of work to do to eradicate the systemic racism that Black Americans have faced for generations, Whitmer said.

Gretchen Whitmer signed a new order and directive to address racism and to expand training for state employees. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to address it within state government. Under the Executive Directive, the governor asked MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, as well as required implicit bias training for all state employees. Thats why today, I am proud to create the Black Leadership Advisory Council of Michigan, said Governor Whitmer. Promoting the cultural arts within the Black community through coordinated efforts, advocacy, and collaboration with state government.

WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. Michigan takes a large step toward reopening Monday. READ: Michigan coronavirus updates: Restaurants can reopen Monday, June 8After nearly three months of carryout only, residents will now be able to dine in at restaurants across the state. More: Reopening Michigan updatesThe Stage Deli Restaurant on Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield Township put tables in storage to allow guests to socially distance. Even the normal flow of a restaurant has changed and they arent all changes customers might notice. Its been long enough.Read more: Heres whats reopening as parts of Michigan move to phase five of Gov.

On Monday, June 8, restaurants statewide in Michigan can begin to reopen with limited capacity. Of course, this does not mean every restaurant will be ready to reopen, or even choose to reopen amid the pandemic. Whitmers restart planThe number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 58,749 as of Saturday afternoon, including 5,652 deaths, state officials report. Fridays total was 58,525 confirmed cases and 5,615 deaths. New cases and deaths continue to slow in Michigan, along with hospitalizations.

The Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) announced Thursday new regulations for marijuana licensees to follow in accordance with the states reopening guidelines and stay-at-home order. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer divided the state into eight regions under her MI Safe Start Plan as the states economy begins to reopen amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Each region will execute a reopening plan tailored to whatever phase of the pandemic they are currently experiencing. Marijuana retail locations and provisioning facilities have remained open amid the pandemic as they have been considered essential under Whitmers executive orders. RELATED: Sales are booming for Michigan marijuana businesses during coronavirus pandemic

A new online portal from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is helping businesses secure personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees as businesses start to reopen around the state amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. MORE: Heres everything thats reopening this week across entire state of MichiganThe free COVID-19 Procurement Platform connects businesses in need of PPE with businesses that have the supplier capacity to meet their demand, officials said. Both businesses who are in need of PPE and those who are able to supply it are encouraged to use the platform. Officials say they are verifying the legitimacy of PPE suppliers requesting to be on the portal. Click here to visit the COVID-19 Procurement Platform.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced updated security procedures that will be implemented across the country this summer in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Traveling with foodTravelers are asked to place carry-on food items in a clear plastic bag and place in a bin for x-ray screening. Following TSA packing guidelines will reduce agents need to interact with travelers luggage and reduce the potential for cross-contamination. TSA will now allow travelers to pack hand sanitizer in their carry-on bags in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. TSA officials advise travelers to arrive at the airport earlier than usual as staffing has been affected by the pandemic.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. The University of Michigans School of Public Health created a video that can help explain the coronavirus (COVID-19) to children between the ages of 6-11. MORE: Coronavirus in Michigan: Heres where we stand as of Thursday morningThe school released the kid-friendly video to share scientifically-accurate information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic that will keep kids engaged, officials say. The short video -- narrated by a child -- discusses COVID-19 symptoms, how the virus spreads and how to prevent the spread of the virus. The video also touches on the importance of social distancing, even though it can be difficult to isolate from family and friends amid the pandemic. The school is also sharing a family guide with tips for discussing the COVID-19 pandemic with kids.

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).

DEARBORN, Mich. – The Wayne County Public Health Division announced Tuesday that AMC Fairlane 21 theaters in Dearborn is the first potential coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure site in the county. UPDATE: Fairlane Town Center closes for cleaningOfficials say a positive COVID-19 patient attended the movie theater on March 10. The woman is currently being isolated while health officials investigate the case. Any individuals who were present at AMC Fairlane 21 during the time of exposure should watch for COVID-19 symptoms through March 24 including fever, cough and shortness of breath, officials said. Patients with presumptive positive test results are urged to isolate to prevent any spread of COVID-19.

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Officer issued an emergency order Sunday night to reduce the number of people in local bars, restaurants or entertainment venues. Under the Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.2453, the Health Officer has the authority to take action to protect the public’s health and prevent the spread of disease. “This action is not taken lightly,” said Washtenaw County Health Officer Jimena Loveluck. “To slow the impact of COVID-19 in our community and protect everyone’s health, we must take our commitment to prevention seriously. Social distancing is essential now to prevent additional spread as much as possible.”As of Sunday night, Washtenaw County has seven cases of COVID-19 and numerous tests pending.

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.