Michigan to reach five million vaccinations Friday

(LANSING, Mich.) Governor Gretchen Whitmer Friday as Michigan has been experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases and increase of COVID-19 patients in hospitals. Whitmer says that by the end of Friday, Michigan will have administered more than five million vaccines. She also said she's asking the federal government to send more vaccines to Michigan as cases surge. “Administering more than five million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccine in under four months is a big deal, but we’ve still got a lot more work to do,” said Governor Whitmer. “Right now our numbers are alarming, and we all have a role to play to get our state moving in the right direction again. That’s why I’m renewing my call on the federal government to surge additional vaccines to our state.

Whitmer also recommended that high school and youth sports pause in person activities for two weeks. That was a recommendation that Michigan's Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun echoed. “We’ve seen that the younger population has played a significant role in transmission during this most recent spike," said Khaldun. "I urge youth sports organizers to pause in-person activities for the next couple weeks, and as always, mask up, wash your hands, social distance and get your safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are able.”  Currently the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requires youth athletes between the ages of 13 and 19 to undergo COVID-19 testing on a weekly basis. Governor Whitmer also recommended that high schools switch to virtual learning for the next two weeks and urged people to avoid indoor dining and gathering with friends indoors for the next two weeks. Whitmer says these are not orders but recommendations.