WASHINGTON (AP) – Washington will rush federal resources to support vaccinations, testing and therapeutic methods, but not vaccines, in Michigan in an effort to control the state’s worst COVID-19 transmission rate, the White House.
The announcement was made as strongly recommended by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but did not order, a two-week break in high school face-to-face instruction, in-house restaurant, and youth sports. He cited more contagious coronavirus variants and pandemic fatigue as factors in the increase, which has led some hospitals to postpone non-urgent procedures.
Hospitalizations across the state have quadrupled in one month and are approaching maximum levels over last spring and fall.
“Politics alone will not change the tide. We need everyone to step up and take personal responsibility, ”he said on Friday, without ruling out future restrictions. Michigan’s seven-day case rate was 492 per 100,000 people, well above New Jersey’s second-worst, with 328 per 100,000 residents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to senior administration officials, President Joe Biden outlined the moves Thursday afternoon in a call with Whitmer to discuss the situation in the state. An action Whitmer has advocated will not include an “increase” in vaccine doses.
Instead, Biden talked about how the federal government planned to help Michigan better administer the doses already allocated to the state, as well as increase testing capacity and drugs for treating the virus.
Democrat Whitmer confirmed he asked Biden to send more doses of vaccine to Michigan, in particular the firing of a single dose from Johnson & Johnson.
“I advocated a rise strategy,” he said. “At the moment, this is not unfolding, but I am not giving up. … Today are Michigan and the Midwest. Tomorrow, it could be another section of our country. I really think the most important thing we can do is put our efforts to crush where the hot spots are. “
Doses are allocated proportionally to states by population, but Whitmer has called for additional doses to be moved to states, such as his, that are experiencing a sharp increase in cases.
“We will stick with the state’s adult population allocation system,” said Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 coordinator, who defined “the fair and equitable way” of distributing vaccines. He said the administration wanted to help Michigan administer more of its vaccines efficiently.
Officials noted that providing more doses would not be as effective in slowing the rise in cases such as increasing tests and reinstating mitigation measures such as wearing masks and restrictions on high-risk activities such as social gatherings, covered dining and sports. juveniles. This is because vaccines take at least two weeks to start providing immunity.
Biden told Whitmer that his administration is ready to send an additional 160 Federal Emergency Management Agency agents and CDC staff to Michigan to assist in vaccinations, in addition to the 230 federal officials already deployed in the state. to support pandemic response operations.
Biden added that he was directing his administration to prioritize dose distribution through federal channels, such as the retail pharmacy program and community health centers, in areas of the state that Whitmer identifies.
“We are at war with this virus, which requires leaders across the country to work together,” White House spokesman Chris Meagher said. “We are in close contact with Governor Whitmer, who is working hard to keep Michigan safe and working in close coordination through a number of options that can help stop the spread of the virus.”
About 39% of Michigan residents 16 years of age or older have received at least one dose of vaccine. Michigan ranked 35th among states in its vaccination rate as of Thursday.
The closure of institutes recommended by the governor provoked mixed reactions in educational circles. His administration had closed high schools for a month during the state’s second rise in late last fall.
“Research has shown that schools can be safe places for face-to-face learning, as long as community outreach is under control, but with a higher risk in our communities there is a greater risk in classrooms.” said Michigan Education Association president Paula Herbart, whose union called for a similar two-week suspension of face-to-face learning in elementary and middle schools and colleges.
Meanwhile, restaurants questioned Whitmer’s recommendation not to eat indoors, but he was pleased with the call for more vaccines.
“We are confident that our operators will continue to provide a safe environment indoors or outdoors in the coming weeks and we trust that Michiganders will do its part to act responsibly and respectfully to help us achieve this result,” he said. Justin Winslow, president and CEO of Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association.
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Eggert reported from Lansing, Mich.