DETROIT – The first probable monkeypox case has been identified in Detroit, according the city’s chief health officer.
The first probable #monkeypox case has been identified in Detroit according to MDHHS. This is the second confirmed case in MI. If you are a #Detroiter or medical provider and have questions, call our nurse hotline M-F 9AM– 5 PM: 313-876-4444 or email: dhdoutbreak@detroitmi.gov
Detroit’s Health Department’s Chief health officer Denise Fair Razo said the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services alerted them to the case.
This is the second confirmed case in Michigan.
Read: Michigan’s first probable monkeypox case appears in Oakland County
Symptoms of monkeypox
Symptoms of monkeypox can include:
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
Headache
Muscle aches and backache
If you are a medical provider and a native Detroiter call the nurse hotline Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 313-876-4444.
Monkeypox Outbreak: What we know
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The latest COVID-19 variant omicron has now been identified in five counties across the state of Michigan, officials said Friday.
According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), a total of six confirmed omicron cases have been detected in the state as of Friday, Dec. 17.
The following Michigan counties are reporting the following number of omicron cases:
Genesee County: 2 omicron cases
Kent County: 1 omicron case
Oakland County: 1 omicron case
Washtenaw County: 1 omicron case
Wayne County: 1 omicron case
Prior to Friday, only one known omicron case was reported in Michigan, in Kent County.
While the current omicron numbers are low in Michigan, it is likely that there are more infections caused by the COVID variant throughout Michigan and the U.S. that have not been identified. On Tuesday, MDHHS reported that a total of 29 states and U.S. territories have detected omicron infections so far.
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The latest coronavirus variant has sparked some concern across the globe. Experts say the make up of the omicron variant appears different from previous COVID-19 strains, prompting uncertainty over its impact and if existing vaccines would be effective against it. Health experts say that data so far shows that the omicron variant is more transmissible than previous strains, but may cause less severe disease.
Officials say that existing COVID-19 vaccines do offer protection from the latest variant, but that a booster shot is critical to increase that protection. Some drugmakers have begun to reimagine existing COVID vaccines to better fit the omicron variant.
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More: Pfizer jabs protect 70% against hospitalization from omicron
Experts believe the omicron variant will become the dominant COVID-19 variant in the U.S. by next year.
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Michigan health officials are recommending anyone above the age of 2 to wear a face mask while gathering indoors during the holiday season as the state battles the worst coronavirus spread in the nation.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Friday that they will issue a face mask advisory for the holiday season as COVID-19 case and hospitalization numbers continue to rise across the state.
“The increases in case counts, percent positivity and hospitalizations have us very concerned,” said MDHHS director Elizabeth Hertel. “We are issuing the face mask advisory and are looking to Michiganders to do their part to help protect their friends, their families and their communities by wearing a mask in indoor settings and getting vaccinated for COVID-19 and flu as soon as possible if they have not already done so.”
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Health officials are urging all people over the age of 2 years old to wear a face mask while gathering indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Businesses are also being encouraged to require face masks of all patrons and employees to help prevent the spread of COVID.
The health department’s latest mask advisory will “remain in effect until further notice,” officials wrote Friday.
MDHHS is also encouraging people to comply with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) new COVID guidance for the 2021-2022 holiday season. The CDC is encouraging people to get vaccinated for COVID, wear masks at gatherings, gather outdoors when possible, social distance and avoid crowded spaces.
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“COVID-19 cases are high as we head into the holidays, and we must take every measure we can to keep our families and loved ones safe – which starts with getting vaccinated,” said Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. “Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are available to children ages 5 and up, and boosters are available for eligible Michiganders. The holidays can be a time to spread great cheer and we recommend taking measures including wearing a mask indoors to not spread COVID-19 to loved ones.”
The announcement comes as the state of Michigan records the worst COVID-19 case numbers in the nation. Due to people moving indoors amid colder weather, relaxed COVID restrictions and a modest vaccination rate, Michigan has been experiencing yet another surge of virus spread over the last several months — and it has continued to worsen in recent weeks.
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As of Thursday, the state was moved into a “severe” risk category by Covid Act Now due to another rise in its daily new cases. As of Nov. 18, the group says Michigan is reporting 84 new COVID cases every day per every 100,000 residents.
On Wednesday, Michigan reported 14,561 new cases of COVID-19 and 242 virus-related deaths, which is a daily average of 7,280.5 cases over a two-day period. Wednesday’s update brings the total number of confirmed COVID cases in Michigan to 1,224,273, including 23,104 deaths. These numbers are up from 1,209,712 cases and 22,862 deaths, as of Monday.
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See more: Data: Michigan seeing highest COVID case numbers in US
Michigan health officials are recommending anyone above the age of 2 to wear a face mask while gathering indoors during the holiday season as the state battles the worst coronavirus spread in the nation.
Copyright 2021 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
IONIA, Mich. – Ninety cases of the SARS-CoV-2 B117 variant have been identified at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Officials said the cases were identified after daily testing of inmates and staff at the facility. The testing began when an employee tested positive of the variant, prompting the Michigan Department of Corrections to conduct daily testing.
In the first group of samples sent to MDHHS, 90 of the 95 tests were found to be positive of the variant. According to health officials, of those 90 cases, 88 are prisoners and two are employees. More than 100 lab results are still pending.
Health officials advise that Michiganders should:
Wash hands often.
Wear a mask around others.
Stay 6 feet apart from others.
Ventilate indoor spaces.
Make a plan to get the vaccine when the opportunity becomes available.
Officials said the number of COVID-19 positive cases at the facility have declined.
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Earlier this month, the variant was identified in Kent County after already identified in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Last week, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said there are two confirmed cases of the variant in the city.
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