Michigan health director resigns, contact sports, COVID variant

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

Here are our seven takeaways from Monday afternoon’s briefing.

Whitmer reported progress in the state’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, comparing the current figures with those from two weeks ago.

Michigan had delivered only 44% of state-controlled vaccines since two weeks ago, although the rest were scheduled to be delivered, she said.

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

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

While the state is making headway in the distribution of vaccines, there are still thousands of eligible residents trying to negotiate deals.

State officials said they are still trying to get enough vaccines for everyone in stages 1A and 1B to get their first doses.

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

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

“Once we have the vaccines we need, any eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get the vaccine,” Whitmer said.

The governor spoke of vaccinations, food aid and job cuts, while drawing attention to actions her government is taking to help Michiganders get through the pandemic.

She said nearly 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 problems that still plague the state. She said there are college students who are losing their jobs as a result of the pandemic and some have to choose between college and food.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel, but we are still in the tunnel,” Whitmer said.

She asked the Michigan legislature to approve its COVID recovery plan, which includes an incentive for vaccine distribution, support for small businesses, and further direction for schools.

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

The number of cases in Michigan stands at 203 cases per million people, she said. That’s down 72% since its November peak.

The percentage of state tests that return positive is also falling. According to Khaldun, it is currently at 6.2%.

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

The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, continues to spread in 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 probably more cases that we have not yet identified, and there may be a spread of the variant that is currently taking place,” said Khaldun.

She said the variant is more easily spread from person to person, but it does not appear to cause more serious illness. Current tests can identify the variant, and the vaccine appears to work against it, she said.

But because it’s more contagious, officials are worried about the variant causing a dramatic spike in Michigan’s case and the positivity numbers.

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

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

Hertel joined Whitmer for Monday’s briefing, providing her first comments since she took 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,” said Hertel.

She thanked Gordon for “his service and support to our mission, and his service to our state and its people.”

Hertel spoke about the steps taken to ensure that families in Michigan have access to food during the pandemic.

“I am proud to lead this department, where I can see evidence of the differences that are being made every day, whether it is to ensure Michiganders ‘access to benefits or food in troubled times, or protecting Michiganders’ public health. in times of crisis, “said Hertel. “I look forward to continuing this great work with my colleagues at MDHHS.”

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

Robert Gordon has resigned from office and the governor has accepted his resignation.

Whitmer was asked about Gordon’s resignation during the Q&A portion of Monday’s briefing.

“I want to thank Robert Gordon, and so did Director Hertel,” said Whitmer. “Running this department in unimaginable circumstances was grueling, and on behalf of all the people in Michigan, I want to thank him for his service to our state. He has worked hard to protect our public. “

Whitmer left it at that, saying she was glad there was “another incredibly qualified person” to run the department.

She was specifically asked about her relationship with Gordon.

“I don’t think I have anything to add in regards to my comments about the former director,” Whitmer said. “I told you I wish him the best. I’m grateful for his leadership, and we have a great new director in the apartment, so we’ll continue here. “

Two questions later, Whitmer was again asked if she had asked for Gordon’s resignation and if the news was expected.

“I think I answered that question,” Whitmer said. “I think all I would say is that it has been a grueling few years and there are changes in the administration going on. I wish Robert Gordon all the best. Really, and I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work and the way he showed up every day for the past several years. It has been a long, unimaginable experience, and I am grateful that we have had his leadership for two years and wish him the best of luck as he continues. “

The ban on certain winter sports has become a controversial topic in Michigan, especially as the high school finals were allowed to continue this weekend.

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

“The continued suspension of ‘contact’ sports in winter contradicts the message that it is safe to return to personal learning,” wrote Vitti. “Just ask any winter sports enthusiast and they will tell you that we are sending mixed and conflicting messages to them.”

Whitmer said officials are keeping a close eye on the numbers regarding contact sports.

“I think it’s important to point out (the variant) and the severity and the highly contagious aspects of this variant,” Whitmer said. “I understand the concerns that parents and athletes have and their desire to participate again, but also point out some of the events that have just happened in recent 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 contain the spread of this new virus, this new variant in Michigan, and we must not let our guard down,” Whitmer said.