SARAH LYON-CALLO

Michigan’s top health officials spoke Wednesday about the possibility of a mask mandate, the state’s “high” COVID-19 transmission rate, the spread of the delta variant and a third dose of the vaccine.

For context, the last surge resulted in 4,391 confirmed deaths between March and June, and Michigan has reported 20,113 confirmed deaths since spring 2020. Assuming similar age distributions of cases and hospitalizations as the spring surge, the models project between 12,186 and 25,505 hospital admissions for COVID-19. A modeling scenario for Michigan for the August 2021 surge, developed by Michigan Medicine, which projects COVID-19 hospital admissions for each age group between August and November 2021. The state had 96 COVID-19 hospitalizations per million people and a positive test rate of 8.4% as of Friday, Aug. 20. To find a vaccine near you, visit Michigan’s COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org.

In Michigan, nursing homes report an average of 82% of residents are vaccinated against COVID-19. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday nursing home staff would have to be vaccinated for care homes to participate in federally funded Medicare and Medicaid programs. Among the new outbreaks, 13 were linked to long-term care facilities like nursing homes, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Nursing homes are of particular concern because older people have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. “Focusing only on nursing homes will cause vaccine hesitant workers to flee to other health care providers and leave many centers without adequate staff to care for residents.

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Michigan’s top doctor was questioned repeatedly Wednesday about why the state hasn’t issued a mask mandate if it could help slow the spread of the COVID delta variant, particularly in schools.

Michigan’s top health officials spoke Wednesday about the possibility of a mask mandate, the state’s “high” COVID-19 transmission rate, the spread of the delta variant and a third dose of the vaccine.

Michigan health officials provided an update Wednesday morning on the status of COVID-19 in the state as the delta virus variant fuels increased infection and hospitalization rates.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, communities across Michigan have relied on large-scale sites for testing and vaccinations. In the case of both services, mass clinics were important early on as supplies were low and demand was high. Earlier this summer, officials closed large vaccination sites like the ones at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center and Pearce Lake Elementary in Chelsea. “Now that a lot of people are vaccinated, there’s not as much need for the high-volume sites and more need for accessibility,” said Ringler-Cerniglia. To locate a site in your area, visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus and select “Find A Test Site.” There are also rapid tests available through local pharmacies and health departments.

At least 4.6 million Michigan residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Among the 8,259 breakthrough cases, 569 have resulted in hospitalization, or less than 7%. There have been 223 deaths among fully-vaccinated individuals, which represents less than 3% of breakthrough cases. “Most of the breakthrough cases that we know about are very, very mild cases,” Vail said. As of Tuesday, July 27, Michigan had at least one dose to 58% of its 16 and older population, and nearly 54% were fully vaccinated.

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.

Michigan's health director says the state is focusing on getting more people vaccinated, not imposing new restrictions on the economy, despite a wave of COVID-19 cases.

Pandemic isn’t over, Michigan officials warn, as COVID-19 numbers surgeWhat’s up with that? Perhaps the biggest driver of the increases are the emergence of the new COVID-19 variants, which are more contagious than the dominant strain of coronavirus. The coronavirus case numbers and positivity rate started rising about the third week of February. “Those who are 10 to 19 have the highest case rate, and their case rate is increasing faster than that of other age groups,” she said. COVID brides and industry professionals consider how the pandemic could change future weddingsCOVID-19 pandemic still teaching Michigan schools lessons a year later9 things we got totally wrong about COVID-19 a year ago

A year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan residents are starting to resume to more normal life -- but recent increases in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations show the pandemic isn’t over yet, Michigan health officials say. The seven-day average positivity rate on coronavirus diagnostic tests now exceeds 5%, and it’s higher than 7% in the Kalamazoo region. It’s the third consecutive week of increases, and at the current pace, the state could hit 2,000 hospitalizations in five weeks. Michigan is one of the states with the highest number of identified cases of the B.1.1.7 strain that first emerged in the United Kingdom. COVID brides and industry professionals consider how the pandemic could change future weddingsCOVID-19 pandemic still teaching Michigan schools lessons a year later9 things we got totally wrong about COVID-19 a year ago

Gretchen Whitmer is planning to hold a news conference Friday morning to provide an update on Michigan’s efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Whitmer will be joined by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. A screenshot of Covid Act Now's map of the U.S. with states color-coded according to their "Covid Risk Level." Michigan is labeled as "at risk" of a COVID outbreak, while most other states are considered to be experiencing an "active or imminent outbreak," according to data. Photo courtesy of Covid Act Now's website.

National trends and how Michigan comparesMichigan has the 23rd highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases of any state in the last seven days. There were 480 COVID-19 deaths between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, and the death rate is 8.9 deaths per million residents. We have seen a long decline in COVID-19 cases since the end of November, however, since around Christmas, that decline has plateaued. COVID-19 spread in MichiganThe number of weekly reported COVID-19 cases to public health is remaining about the same. The variant gives Lyon-Callo cause for concern because instead of maintaining a decline in case rate, Michigan might see an increase in trajectory.

A potentially more infectious new variant of coronavirus identified in the United Kingdom and some states in the U.S. has not yet been detected in Michigan, though health officials say it’s “very likely” already here. The new variant -- B.1.1.7 -- is a SARS-CoV-2 variant with an unusually large number of mutations, according to the CDC. Michigan’s state health department lab regularly sequences coronavirus RNA when it receives a positive sample to determine if a mutated variant is active in the population. On Wednesday, Whitmer said “it’s very clear the pause has worked,” since COVID-19 numbers have improved in Michigan since the orders began. As of Tuesday, Jan. 5, Michigan has reported 504,410 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 12,867 COVID-19 deaths since March.

And recognize, coronavirus patients are most contagious 72 to 48 hours before they experience symptoms. One of the telltale signs of coronavirus is loss of smell and taste, experienced by about two-thirds of coronavirus patients. Almost half of coronavirus patients experience muscle pain, which are likely the result of Almost half of coronavirus patients experience muscle pain, which are likely the result of immune cells releasing infection-fighting proteins called interleukins . Around a third of coronavirus patients have a sore throat, which may be accompanied by a runny nose and/or congestion. One study indicated about one in five coronavirus patients have gastrointestinal symptoms.

“We’re seeing encouraging signs in terms of the case rates, the positivity rates and the hospital numbers coming down,” she said. So we’ll be watching those numbers to see if there is any case surge” from Christmas and New Year’s. However, the case rate is still four times the average from early October. Compared to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, Michigan currently has the lowest case rate and the second-lowest hospitalization rate. The one trendline that has not declined is deaths, Lyon-Callo said.

Michigan residents between the ages of 30-49 years old continue to record the highest new virus cases per million residents. Specifically, daily new COVID cases have been the highest among those 30-39 years old on average in recent weeks. However, in the last four weeks, COVID cases per million have decreased for all age groups in the state. Michigan COVID hospitalizationsMore than 18.7% of available inpatient beds were filled with COVID patients in Michigan over the last week. Michigan residents over the age of 80 years continue to see the highest virus deaths per million residents.

She took a deep dive into the data and brought to light some trends that were either not highlighted before or have evolved to become more alarming. Nov. 18, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 277,806; Death toll now at 8,190In September, there were many areas with under 20 daily new cases of coronavirus per million people. Currently, all counties in the state are seeing over 150 daily new cases per million residents. Related: Michigan COVID-19 data: Cases and deaths by race, ethnicityThere was also a fall in childhood preventative services -- like lead testing and vaccination in the spring -- but they’re seeing some rebound. READ: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 hospitalization data trends

Michigan has the fifth highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the nation, with 8,128 as of Tuesday (Nov. 17). Michigan’s current COVID-19 trajectoryThe case rate per million people for COVID-19 is now above 500 cases per million, and continues to climb. COVID-19 cases, deaths by onset dateLyon-Callo said the information she’s most interested in as an epidemiologist is understanding when someone became ill. MDHHS is adding staff and working to investigate as many COVID-19 cases as possible -- both at the local and state levels. Officials are reaching 45% of known contacts of COVID-19 cases within one day -- a percentage that has increased.

Michigan has the fifth highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the nation, with 8,128 as of Tuesday (Nov. 17). Michigan’s current COVID-19 trajectoryThe case rate per million people for COVID-19 is now above 500 cases per million, and continues to climb. COVID-19 cases, deaths by onset dateLyon-Callo said the information she’s most interested in as an epidemiologist is understanding when someone became ill. MDHHS is adding staff and working to investigate as many COVID-19 cases as possible -- both at the local and state levels. Officials are reaching 45% of known contacts of COVID-19 cases within one day -- a percentage that has increased.

LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan epidemiologist is joining health officials Wednesday to talk about COVID-19 trends across the state. Sarah Lyon-Callo, the Director of the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is set to discuss the rapid spread of the virus. Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Nov. 18, 2020She will also talk about testing, disease trends, outbreaks, hospitalizations, deaths and the trajectory of the virus in Michigan. On Tuesday, Michigan officials reported 7,458 new cases and 79 additional deaths. The state has confirmed 272,034 COVID-19 cases and 8,128 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

LANSING, MI - Members of Michigan’s COVID-19 oversight committee wanted to know what data Gov. Related: Michigan movie theaters make plea to reopen before its too lateRelated: What is, isn’t allowed as gyms reopen under Gov. Looking at a seven-day moving average as of Tuesday, Sep. 22, Michigan was reporting 675 new cases and 10 new deaths per day. “It can cause an exponential amount of growth like we saw in Michigan in the spring in terms of infections. For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.