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Coronavirus

Gov. Whitmer announces expansion of MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants

LANSING – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks announced the expansion of the MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants to include a new grant program for Great Start Readiness Program (GRSP), Head Start, adult education and young adult (ages 18-26) special education classroom teachers. “The MI Classroom Heroes COVID-19 Grants are just a small token of our gratitude to educators for going above and beyond during the pandemic,” Governor Whitmer said. “When COVID-19 hit, teachers worked around the clock to quickly transform from in-person teaching to remote ...

Calumet Colosseum event – Possible exposure site

HOUGHTON AND MARQUETTE COUNTIES — Marquette County Health Department (MCHD) has identified through contract tracing a possible COVID-19 super-spreader event linked to a youth hockey tournament held at the Calumet Colosseum on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28. Multiple positives have been identified in players and spectators who were present at this event - indicating spread of COVID- 19. MCHD and Western UP Health Department (WUPHD) are working with junior hockey to identify the teams who attended the tournament. Houghton County cases are still being traced and additional facilities, such as ...

Michigan continues to focus on equity in vaccination strategy, adds race data to COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard

LANSING — Several initiatives to improve access to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and ensure equity when it comes to protection from the virus have been announced by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) during the past couple weeks. MDHHS posted race data on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard to help track the effects of those efforts and to provide additional information about vaccinations in Michigan. “Ensuring those who are most vulnerable are protected by the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is a high priority for Michigan,” said Dr. Joneigh ...

Gov. Whitmer lowers flags to honor 500,000 American lives lost to COVID-19

LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff immediately through Friday, Feb. 26 to honor and mourn those who have lost their lives due to COVID-19. “As we lower the flags to honor and remember the 500,000 American lives, my heart is with the families of loved ones who passed away from this vicious virus,” Whitmer said. “Our nation grieves as we continue the ...

MDHHS Identifies 90 Cases of COVID-19 Variant

IONIA, MICH — Results from the daily testing of prisoners and staff at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, in Ionia, has resulted in the detection of 90 cases of the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 variant. This testing occurred after an employee at the prison was found to have the variant and the Michigan Department of Corrections immediately began to test daily, all prisoners and staff. Of the first set of samples provided to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories, 90 of the 95 were found to have the variant. Of the 90, there were 88 prisoners and two ...

Liquor licenses and permits suspended for the Wooden Nickel in Marquette for violations of MDHHS emergency order

LANSING — The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has issued an emergency suspension of the liquor licenses and permits for the Wooden Nickel in Marquette. This licensee’s multiple violations of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Emergency Order on Gatherings and Face Masks include: — allowing non-residential, indoor gatherings — failure to require face coverings for staff and patrons — exceeding 25% of normal seating capacity — allowing indoor dining after the 10 p.m. curfew Since September 2020, the MLCC has suspended liquor licenses of ...