The Michigan health director resigns, contacts sports, variant COVID

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update on COVID-19 to the state, including the future of contact sports, the release of a new variant of COVID, and more on the resignation of Michigan health director .

Here are our seven takeaway meals from the Monday afternoon briefing.

Whitmer reported on advances in the state distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, comparing current figures with those of two weeks ago.

Michigan had administered only 44 percent of state-controlled vaccines two weeks ago, though the rest were scheduled to be administered, he said.

Now, 67 percent of the state’s vaccine supply has gone to guns, Whitmer said.

“This is good news and I am proud, as we should all be, of the progress we have made,” Whitmer said.

While the state reports on progress in its vaccine distribution efforts, there are still thousands of eligible residents trying to make appointments.

State officials said they are still working to get enough vaccines for everyone in phases 1A and 1B to get the first doses.

“I know people are anxious and ready to get the vaccine, and frankly, that’s good,” Whitmer said. “The fact is, we still don’t have the kind of supply we need.”

He said Michigan officials have a plan to vaccinate 50,000 people a day.

“Once we have the vaccines we need, all eligible Michiganders who want a vaccine will get the vaccine,” Whitmer said.

The governor spoke of vaccinations, food assistance and job losses, highlighting the actions her administration has taken to help Michiganders get through the pandemic.

He said about 900,000 children in the state received food aid through a partnership between MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education.

But Whitmer also highlighted some of the issues that still affect the state. He said there are college students who are losing their jobs due to the pandemic and some have to choose between college and food.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but we’re still in the tunnel,” Whitmer said.

She called on the Michigan legislature to approve its COVID recovery plan, which includes a boost to vaccine distribution, support for small businesses and more guidance for schools.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical officer, provided updated COVID-19 metrics for the state.

The Michigan case rate is 203 cases per million people, he said. It has dropped 72% since the November peak.

The percentage of tests in the state that returns positive is also down. It currently stands at 6.2%, according to Khaldun.

The percentage of hospital beds currently occupied by COVID-19 patients is 9.2%, he said.

The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, continues to spread to Michigan, Khaldun said.

As of Monday, the state has identified at least 13 confirmed cases in Washtenaw County and four confirmed cases in Wayne County.

“There are likely to be more cases that we haven’t identified yet, and there may be a spread of the variant that’s happening right now,” Khaldun said.

He said the variant spreads more easily from person to person, but does not appear to cause more serious illnesses. Current tests can identify the variant and it appears the vaccine works against it, he said.

But because it’s more contagious, officials are concerned about the variant that causes a dramatic increase in the case of Michigan and positivity rates.

“We don’t want to have to go back to slow down the great progress we’ve already made,” Khaldun said.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned on Friday, and Whitmer quickly appointed Elizabeth Hertel to play the role.

Hertel joined Whitmer for Monday’s briefing and offered his first comments since taking over as Michigan’s health director.

“I am honored to be here for the first time as director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,” Hertel said.

He thanked Gordon for the “service and support of our mission and its service to our state and its residents.”

Hertel spoke of the actions taken to ensure that Michigan families have access to food during the pandemic.

“I am proud to lead this department, where I can see evidence of the differences that are made every day, either to ensure that Michiganders have access to benefits or food in difficult times or to protect Michiganders’ public health during times of crisis. “Hertel said. “I look forward to continuing this great work alongside my MDHHS colleagues.”

When Whitmer released a statement announcing Hertel’s appointment as Michigan’s new health director on Friday, the only mention of Gordon was a single sentence at the end of the release:

“Robert Gordon has resigned and the governor has accepted his resignation.”

Whitmer was asked about Gordon’s resignation during the question-and-answer part of Monday’s briefing.

“I want to thank Robert Gordon and director Hertel as well,” Whitmer said. “To lead this department in unimaginable circumstances has been exhausting, and on behalf of all the people of Michigan, I want to thank you for your service to our state. It worked hard to protect our audience.”

Whitmer left and said she is glad there is “another incredibly qualified person” to lead the department.

He was specifically asked about his relationship with Gordon.

“I don’t think I have anything to add in terms of my comments about the former director,” Whitmer said. “I have shared with you that I wish you well. I am grateful for his leadership and we have a wonderful new manager in the apartment, so we will continue to move forward here. ”

Two questions later, Whitmer again put pressure on whether he called for Gordon’s resignation and whether the news was expected.

“I think I answered that question,” Whitmer said. “I think the only thing I would say is that a couple of exhausting years have passed and that there are changes in the administrations. I wish Robert Gordon the best. I really do, and I’m incredibly grateful for the work and the way it appeared every day for the last few years. It has been a long and impossible experience to imagine, and I am grateful that we have had his leadership for two years and I wish him the best of luck to move forward ”.

The ban on certain winter contact sports has become a controversial issue in Michigan, especially since the high school football finals were allowed to continue over the weekend.

Dr. Nikolai Vitti, the superintendent of schools in Detroit, sent a letter to Whitmer on Monday saying it is inconsistent to push for a return to face-to-face learning before March 1, but they refuse to restart contact sports.

“The continuation of the suspension of contact sports” winter “contradicts the message that it is safe to return to face-to-face learning,” Vitti wrote. “Just ask any sports athlete” of “winter” contact and they will tell you that we are sending you contradictory and contradictory messages. “

Whitmer said officials look closely at the numbers when it comes to contact sports.

“I think it’s important to point out (the variant), the seriousness, and the highly contagious aspects of that variant,” Whitmer said. “I understand the concern that parents and athletes have and their desire to participate again, but I also point out some events that have happened recently in the last two days.”

The governor was referring to an outbreak at the University of Michigan that forced the athletic department to close completely for two weeks.

“Our job is to try to reduce the spread of this new virus, this new variant in Michigan, and we need to not drop the guard,” Whitmer said.