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Coronavirus

Michigan to receive additional federal resources to help get more Michiganders vaccinated faster, at governor’s request

LANSING – As a result of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request of the federal government to help get more Michiganders vaccinated as quickly as possible, more than 200 federal personnel will be arriving in Michigan this week to assist at three mass vaccination sites: DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Ford Field in Detroit and TCF in Detroit. “We appreciate the support from our federal partners, especially adding additional boots on the ground to allow for more shots in arms more quickly,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "We are still fighting this virus, and we must continue masking up, ...

MDHHS COVID-19 vaccine dashboard receives upgrades to improve information sharing

LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is transitioning its COVID-19 vaccine dashboard to a new methodology to more clearly and simply summarize vaccination data reporting. “Since we started vaccinating Michiganders, we have had the opportunity to improve our data systems and evolve processes,” said MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel. “We continue to seek ways to improve the quality and accuracy of data shared within the COVID-19 dashboard. Over 3.5 million Michiganders have received at least their first dose of the safe and effective COVID-19 ...

MDHHS extends epidemic order, strengthens mask requirement for children

LANSING — Today, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) extended its Gatherings and Mask epidemic order. The Order – which preserves the strongest public health order in the Midwest – is designed to balance day-to-day activities while controlling the spread of COVID-19 and saving Michiganders’ lives. It includes expansion of mask requirements to children ages two to four to further protect the state’s residents. Although progress has been made, it is crucial that Michiganders continue to mask up and socially distance as the state takes steps to get back ...

J&J vaccinations paused

HANCOCK — The national pause of usage of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should not result in much disruption locally for people who have appointments scheduled, including upcoming mass vaccination clinics, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department Medical Officer Kate Beer said Tuesday. ...

Michigan expanding the use of monoclonal antibody therapy in the fight against COVID-19

LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced today the state is working to expand the use of a medical intervention designed to significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19. This involves additional doses of monoclonal antibodies being made available to providers and requests to providers to expand the number of infusion sites in the state. “We are using every mitigation strategy, every medication, and every treatment option to fight the virus here in Michigan,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “These ...

Western Upper Peninsula Health Department pauses use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

HANCOCK — Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) is pausing all use of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA and CDC have recommended this pause, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed it. The WUPHD is stopping all use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until more is known. There is no impact on the use of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. For today, the scheduled vaccine clinic at the WUPHD in Gogebic County will operate and will offer the Moderna vaccine. The scheduled homebound visits for today in Houghton County ...