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Coronavirus

COVID-19 variant detected in MDOC facility in Ionia

IONIA, MICH — The Michigan Department of Corrections (MODC) has learned of the detection of the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.1.7 variant at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia. This is the first known case of the variant inside a MDOC facility. After consultation with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), all prisoners and employees there will now be tested daily, rather than the weekly testing they have been conducting. B.1.1.7. is believed to be more contagious, but there has been no indication that it affects the clinical outcomes or disease severity ...

Your first and second doses of COVID-19 must be the same brand

WESTERN U.P. — The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) reminds people that your second dose of COVID-19 vaccine must be the same brand as your first dose. Second doses of the Pfizer vaccine are given 21 days after the first dose and Moderna is given 28 days after the first dose. Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control recommends that the second dose not be delayed more than 6 weeks (42 days) from the first dose for either vaccine. WUPHD was allocated the Moderna brand and does not expect to receive a Pfizer allocation from the State of Michigan. If your ...

Why masks and more still matter, health experts weigh in

UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. – If you think you can take off your mask and stop social distancing once you have received your COVID-19 vaccine, health experts caution not quite yet. Everyone must continue taking the necessary precautions to not spread the virus, even after receiving their shots. “It may take a while before everyone has had a chance to get the vaccine. In the meantime, we are still vulnerable to the virus,” said Eve Komosa, PA-C, physician assistant at Aspirus Health. “And because no vaccine is 100% effective, you may still be at risk, too. Everyone needs to continue ...

KUUF hosts COVID-19 MTU speaker on vaccines and the future of vaccine manufacturing

HOUGHTON — Dr. Caryn L. Heldt from MTU is the virtual guest at Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 10:30am. She will discuss the many different types of COVID vaccines in clinical trials and on the market, the difference and why the compressed timelines for clinical trials are not compromising safety. Finally, we will explore current and future vaccine manufacturing methodologies. The goal is to increase the number of doses available of new and current vaccines while keeping costs low. Dr. Caryn L. Heldt is the Director of the Health Research Institute, ...

COVID-19 vaccine supply continues to trickle in

HANCOCK – The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD) extends gratitude to the public for their patience as the COVID-19 vaccination process continues to evolve. The vaccine supply coming to the area continues to be very limited at this time. The forecast from the state is that this pattern may continue for the next several weeks as the state wrestles with low shipments from the federal government and the need to make sure that vaccine is distributed equitably across the state. “We have started administering second doses of the vaccine that were received from the state ...

Governor Whitmer announces appointments to Bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission

LANSING — Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed new members to the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission. The appointees represent a diverse array of industries, professions, and backgrounds. Housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the commission will help raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, educate the people of this state, and help protect the health and safety of all Michigan residents. “Michigan is working around the clock to ramp up vaccinations and reach our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day, and with ...