As cases surge to levels unseen in months, the virus is spreading fast in corners of Michigan that had been mostly spared. Experts blame ‘pandemic fatigue’ but the good news is deaths remain relatively low.
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.
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Michigan riding ‘second’ COVID wave that could bring more deaths
Cases of the new coronavirus are increasing across all Michigan regions, with hospitalizations doubling since late September. Residents are urged to stick with restrictions as flu season begins despite “pandemic fatigue.”
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‘Open up everything!’ Michigan GOP’s push for herd immunity on COVID
A Michigan infectious disease doctor says we’ve overdone coronavirus lockdown rules, an argument embraced by Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. The medical establishment calls such views dangerous.
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Health experts to Shirkey: COVID herd immunity would kill 30K in Michigan
Five public health leaders have sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey rebuking his comments about “herd immunity” and asking for a hearing focused on the science of the virus.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
50 men held an Upper Peninsula retreat traced to COVID. No one’s talking.
Officials said the organizer hung up on a nurse trying to warn others of possible exposure. Another person accused health officials of ‘working for Satan.’ Meanwhile, infections proliferate in the eastern U.P.
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As coronavirus spreads in Michigan, racial and age disparities shrink
In recent weeks, the coronavirus is striking more middle-age residents after disproportionately hitting younger ones. And as it moves statewide, the virus is impacting fewer African Americans.
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Once a state hotspot, Detroit has one of the lowest rates of coronavirus in Michigan
Once a COVID hotspot, Detroit lost 1,300 people to the virus. The city and its residents fought back and say limited interactions, face masks and frequent hand-washing make the difference. Detroit now has one of the lowest rates in the state.
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Whitmer order sets up COVID-positive nursing units in Michigan
The latest executive order also loosens community dining restrictions in facilities and expands reporting requirements of coronavirus cases to include legal guardians and prospective residents or staff.
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Health officials: Party on (safely) during rare Blue Moon Halloween
From homemade candy chutes to slipping treats across a clean table, health officials urge creativity in keeping trick-or-treat safe.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
1 in 3 U.S. parents will skip kids’ flu shots, but Michigan has early gains
Despite pleas from health experts to guard against flu before a COVID resurgence, some parents aren’t comfortable taking children to the doctor. But so far in Michigan, there’s a 30 percent rise in flu shots.