Health and Wellness

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration said Tuesday it wants lawmakers to quickly allocate $300 million in federal pandemic rescue funding to support COVID-19 testing at schools amid a fourth surge of infections in Michigan. The money was included in the relief law approved by Congress and President Joe Biden in March. It is set to expire next summer and is part …

Michigan’s number of hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19 cases reached a new pandemic high Monday, nearing 4,200 as the state continued to confront surging infections. The total of 4,185 cases surpassed the previous record of 4,158, which was set seven months ago when fewer residents were vaccinated. More than one-fifth of COVID patients in Michigan hospitals were in intensive care. …

A recent outbreak of 525 cases of influenza among students at University of Michigan has prompted the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency to issue a media release centering on the importance of a flu shot. Statewide surveillance shows flu-vaccination numbers are lower than last year’s, which puts the community at higher risk for transmission, agency officials said. The agency understands …

The federal government will send 44 military medical staffers to Michigan to help beleaguered hospitals treat COVID-19 patients amid a fourth surge that is the worst in the country, state health officials said Wednesday. It also will open beds at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Detroit for transfers. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sought the assistance at the request of the Michigan …

Based on new recommendations from the CDC, the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is now offering all manufacturer’s vaccine booster doses to all residents age 18 and older. Those who received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as their primary vaccine with the second dose administered at least six months ago are eligible for a booster dose. Those who are age …

Faced with spiking COVID-19 infections, Michigan health officials issued a public health advisory Friday recommending that everyone over age 2 wear a mask at indoor public settings regardless of their vaccination status. The guidance also says public-facing businesses and other establishments should implement masking policies and encourage compliance. Unvaccinated or immunocompromised people are urged to avoid large crowds and gatherings. The state …

Top state health officials, pediatricians and vaccine advocates on Wednesday urged parents to get Michigan’s 825,000 children ages 5 to 11 vaccinated against COVID-19, as appointments began opening after the U.S. gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size shots. More than 450 children under age 12 are becoming infected with the coronavirus each day in the state. The risk of severe disease …

Michigan has recorded more than 1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, the health department said Wednesday. The state crossed that threshold by reporting 6,079 new cases over the last two days. There have been at least 20,781 deaths in Michigan linked to COVID-19. “After more than 18 months fighting this pandemic, it is sobering to reach …

Michigan’s health department has created a way for adults to find their immunization records online. The Michigan Immunization Portal is open to residents ages 18 and older. They can download, save or print their vaccination history free of charge. People must create an account and upload a valid government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport. Vaccinations done in …

A Public Health Order addressing COVID-19 quarantine measures has been issued by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The order details requirements for any individual who resides, attends school, or is employed within Branch, Hillsdale or St. Joseph counties, and who is notified that they are a COVID-19 close contact. Health officer Rebecca Burns said after consultation with the agency’s …