Michigan health director resigns, contact with sports, COVID variant

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

Here are our seven lessons from the Monday afternoon briefing.

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

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

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

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

While the state is reporting progress on its vaccine delivery efforts, there are still thousands of eligible residents trying to make appointments.

State officials said they were still working on getting enough vaccines for everyone in phases 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,” said Whitmer. “The fact is, we still don’t have the kind of supplies we need.”

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

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

The governor spoke about vaccines, food assistance and job losses, highlighting the actions her government took to help Michiganders during the pandemic.

She said that nearly 900,000 children in the state received food assistance 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 that there are university students losing their jobs due to the pandemic and some having to choose between college and food.

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

She asked the Michigan Legislature to approve her COVID recovery plan, which includes an incentive to distribute vaccines, support small businesses and additional guidance for schools.

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

Michigan’s case rate is 203 cases per million people, she said. This represents a 72% drop since the peak in November.

The percentage of state tests positive is also falling. It is currently at 6.2%, according to Khaldun.

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, said Khaldun.

On Monday, the state 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 possibly the spread of the variant is happening now,” said Khaldun.

She said the variant is more easily transmitted 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 is more contagious, officials are concerned about the variant, causing a dramatic increase in the case of Michigan and positivity rates.

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

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon abruptly resigned on Fridayand Whitmer quickly appointed Elizabeth Hertel to fill the position.

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

“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 for our mission, and his service to our state and its residents”.

Hertel talked about 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 made every day, whether it is ensuring that Michiganders have access to benefits or food in difficult times, or protecting Michiganders’ public health in times of crisis,” said Hertel. “I am looking forward to continuing this excellent work alongside my colleagues at MDHHS.”

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 statement:

“Robert Gordon resigned and the governor 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 too,” said Whitmer. “To lead this department in unimaginable circumstances, it has been tiring and, on behalf of everyone in Michigan, I want to thank you for your service to our state. He worked hard to protect our audience. “

Whitmer left it at that and said he is happy that there is “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 to my comments about the former director,” said Whitmer. “I shared with you that I wish him well. I am grateful for your leadership and we have a wonderful new director in the apartment, so let’s keep moving forward here. “

Two questions later, Whitmer was pressed again on whether she asked for Gordon to resign and whether the news was expected.

“I think I answered that question,” said Whitmer. “I think the only thing I would say is that it has been an exhausting two years and changes in the administrations are taking place. I wish Robert Gordon the best. I really love it, and I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work and the way it has appeared every day for the past few years. It was a long and unimaginable experience, and I am grateful to have had your leadership for two years and wish you the best of luck as you move forward. “

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

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

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

Whitmer said officials are closely watching the figures for contact sports.

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

The governor was referring to an outbreak at the University of Michigan that forced the sports 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 must not let our guard down,” said Whitmer.