Michigan health officials say another surge could be on the way, Local 4 reported.
In a recent interview, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Michigan’s pathway to reopening might be happening too quickly while some are in agreement of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s actions.
“She’s a really good governor. I think she’s done some really good things. But I am telling them, just hold off for a bit.” Fauci said to CNN’s Chris Cuomo on Thursday night.
Fauci also mentioned that he understands the hopefulness in wanting to restart life as close to normal as possible for Michiganders but he again issued the warning.
“We understand that, we really do. But just hang on a little longer until you get the overwhelming proportion of the population vaccinated,” he said.
Fauci’s comments came on the exact day that Michigan reached over 2,600 new cases and just one day before the number of daily cases increased to more than 3,700 — the highest since the beginning of the year, per the article. Michigan’s chief medical officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said that Michigan could be on the cusp of another wave.
“We’re not out of the woods yet. And we could potentially be at the beginning of another surge in Michigan,” Khaldun said during Friday’s press conference.
During the press conference, Whitmer and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun spoke about COVID-19 vaccines and variants and announced new steps for high school athletes to safely compete and increased capacity at outdoor stadiums.
Whitmer praised progress on vaccinations and urged Michiganders to keep doing their part by wearing masks, washing their hands, social distancing, and getting vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. All Michiganders ages 16 and up will be eligible to take COVID-19 vaccine on April 5. Whitmer also urged the Legislature to fully allocate billions in federal dollars sent to Michigan last December and more recently by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Both Dr. Khaldun and Whitmer said that while they can see the light at the end of the tunnel, “we are still in the tunnel, and the only out is forward and together.”
This week, Michigan reached the top of two dangerous lists — the state had the highest numbers in the country in COVID-19 infection rate and came closely behind Florida for the number of variant cases. Those variants are typically more contagious and possibly more life-threatening. Those numbers also came immediately after multiple state reopenings along with lifted restrictions at venues like event spaces and restaurants along with a return to in-person learning and winter sports, per the article.
“As the governor said from the beginning, we can take incremental steps toward normalcy by following basic public health measures like wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands and getting a vaccine,” said Whitmer’s deputy press secretary Robert Leddy. “The path forward depends on increasing rapid testing and continuing to ramp up vaccinations, which one out of four Michiganders have already received. To continue operating safely, we must also provide businesses, schools and communities the resources they need to keep people safe as they return to normal, day-to-day activities. We will remain in close contact with our nation’s top health experts on best practices until we eliminate COVID-19 once and for all.”
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