As residents make plans to leave home after COVID, an often-fatal disease associated with mouse poop was discovered for the first time in Michigan. But the more widespread danger comes from a proliferation of ticks, which can cause Lyme disease.
Michigan Health Watch
In-depth reporting on the intersection between public policy and important health topics ‒ such as insurance coverage, hospital admissions, opioid abuse, access to care, medical research and the business of health care ‒ that impact nearly every Michigan resident.
An end in sight? Michigan experts say COVID finally ‘winding down’
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Thursday announcement of a softening in pandemic restrictions appears to make sense given the latest numbers, public health experts said.
Questions, answers about Michigan’s changing COVID restrictions
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement on Thursday clears the way for full capacity at baseball games and some concerts and a total reopening of Michigan on July 1. Here’s what you need to know.
From TikTok to school clinics, Michigan ramps up young teen vaccinations
About 7.5 percent of the state’s kids ages 12 to 15 have been vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving the state looking for ways to keep momentum strong.
Mask confusion: How Michigan navigated a weekend of new COVID orders
Federal guidance late last week that gave vaccinated people more freedom to go maskless left the state and private businesses scrambling to update their own rules.
$1 million lotteries and baseball for COVID shots? Not in Michigan
Other states are getting creative in efforts to get shots into the arms of the vaccine-hesitant. Michigan hasn’t done that so far, prompting debate about whether the state should do more to move the needle.
America reopening: Fully-vaccinated don’t need masks now, says CDC
In a major step on the road toward normalcy, the CDC announced fully vaccinated Americans need no longer mask or socially distance in most settings. The move poses hard questions for Michigan schools and businesses.
Boarding a freighter in the Soo Locks to deliver 5 doses of COVID vaccine
After months of waiting lists and people frantic to get protected against COVID-19, public health workers are now waging a ground game to get Michigan to vaccinate the reluctant and hard-to-reach. Wednesday’s ship clinic illustrates the brutal challenge ahead.
COVID is fading, but racial gap in deaths is back with force in Michigan
Black residents are dying at greater rates once again in Michigan in part because they are getting vaccinated at lower rates.
“It’s like a miracle:” Monoclonal antibody use soars over 300% in Michigan
In just under a month, the number of COVID-19 patients in Michigan receiving monoclonal antibody treatments soared by more than 300 percent, from about 500 patients the week for March 24, to about 1,700 the week of April 21.