Health officials worry about a ‘twindemic’ of the flu and COVID-19, and some are getting creative about distributing vaccines as many workplaces remain closed.
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 infant, whose death was tied to COVID, had serious health troubles
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s chief medical executive, had said the boy died “because of COVID-19.” But a medical examiner’s report lists a birth defect as the cause of death, with respiratory problems caused by COVID as a complicating factor.
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Grand Valley State students ordered to stay home to tamp down COVID-19 upswing
COVID is spreading at Grand Valley through off-campus gatherings and students who become infected aren’t saying who they’ve been hanging out with, health officials said.
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In tense hearing, Whitmer official defends MI COVID nursing home strategy
Republican legislators accused Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration of failing to adequately prepare for the pandemic. “20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing,” countered state health director Robert Gordon.
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Outdoor visits now ‘expected’ at Michigan nursing homes, state says
Michigan health officials announced that nursing homes may find ways to allow loved ones to meet with residents under certain conditions. The state also may soon approve a provision that allows family members to volunteer in homes.
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Xavier DeGroat will not be stopped. Michigan autism activist goes to D.C.
DeGroat’s bulldog persistence has yielded bipartisan legislation in Lansing and a network of powerful backers.
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Michigan coronavirus caseloads haven’t budged in months. Why that’s not bad.
For two months, Michigan coronavirus cases have plateaued at about 650 per day after declining for weeks. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cited the caseloads in extending her state of emergency Thursday, but epidemiologists say they should induce calm, not panic, since they reflect higher testing and more asymptomatic patients.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
COVID-19 vaccine race heats up with clinical trials at 3 Michigan sites
Michigan Medicine, Henry Ford and a medical research center based in Farmington Hills are involved in Phase 3 clinical trials to find a safe and effective vaccine for a virus that has killed over 183,000 people in the United States.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan to identify K-12 schools with coronavirus outbreaks Sept. 14
The state’s announcement follows weeks of pressure as many parents must decide whether to send their children to school or have them learn from home. State officials did not include colleges in its decision.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Seniors from metro Detroit are aging prematurely as young become caregivers
The third edition of a longstanding report shows Detroiters are more likely to die from chronic health conditions than other Michiganders. While Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared racism as a public health issue in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, experts say it will take a collective effort from every sector to see change.