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Coronavirus

Further protecting construction, manufacturing workers, MIOSHA enhances inspection efforts

LANSING — While COVID-19 cases continue to climb across the state, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) will enhance its focus on workplace safety in the construction and manufacturing industries through two State Emphasis Programs (SEP) to ensure compliance with workplace safety rules helping to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. The SEPs will be in effect through Feb. 8, 2021 and will increase enforcement to help protect employees from COVID-19 hazards in the workplace. “Our goal is to educate before we regulate, and by MIOSHA increasing their presence ...

MDARD, MI Retailers Association and Meijer urging consumers to shop as normal

LANSING -- Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell, Michigan Retailers Association CEO William Hallan and Meijer CEO Todd Weer, Senior Vice President of Stores responded to news that consumers may be buying larger quantities than necessary at the stores. “Michigan has an ample supply of food products and other items. But, when shoppers panic buy products like toilet paper, paper towel and other items, it creates a ripple effect within the supply chain,” said McDowell. “Buying what your household will use for the week keeps the supply ...

MDHHS adds new data to website with lab turnaround times; Announces holiday data schedule

LANSING — To help provide additional information about COVID-19 testing, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has added testing turnaround time data to the Michigan.gov/Coronavirus website. COVID-19 Testing Turnaround Time (TAT) provides data for the past 14 days on the average time it takes for a diagnostic COVID-19 laboratory test to be reported to the state health department. MDHHS receives results from commercial labs, hospitals and public health labs. Total turnaround time is calculated by subtracting the date of the sample collection date from the date ...

Aspirus CEO: Care might change to avoid filling beds

WAUSAU, Wis. — With COVID-19 cases expected to rise through the holiday season, Aspirus hospitals may reschedule some non-time-sensitive procedures and move less serious cases to a home care model, Aspirus CEO Matt Heywood said during a press conference Wednesday. Typically, Aspirus ...

H-PT board hears COVID update

HOUGHTON — Houghton-Portage Township Schools board members received briefings on the district’s COVID response during a board meeting Monday, during which they renewed the district’s COVID learning plan for another month. Starting Wednesday, all Michigan high schools are required to move to virtual learning for three weeks to reduce the spread of COVID. Younger students have reported lower risk of transmission. The state began requiring districts to publish COVID numbers online on Oct. 12. Since then, the Houghton-Portage Township has reported 14 positive students, three ...

Schools adjust to three-week closures

HOUGHTON COUNTY — Hancock Schools Superintendent Steve Patchin and Houghton High School Principal Cole Klein announced plans for their respective schools, in responses to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcements involving schools and the COVID-19 pandemic spikes. “Today Gov. Whitmer stated the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will be moving our high schools to remote learning beginning Wednesday, Nov. 18,” Patchin said in a Sunday email. “Barkell Elementary and Hancock Middle School will continue to operate face-to-face instruction per MDHHS guidance, ...