Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provides an update about COVID-19 at a Nov. 12 press conference. COURTESY OF Michigan Executive Office of the governor.
—Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be holding a press conference at 6 p.m. today to give an update regarding COVID-19 and make an announcement regarding the efforts to slow the spread of the virus.
Members of the public can watch the press conference virtually on Whitmer's Twitter or Facebook page.
This announcement follows Whitmer's update from Nov. 12, which detailed the current rising numbers of COVID-19.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, and MDHHS Director Robert Gordon will also be speaking during the conference.
Whitmer said on Thursday that case numbers are skyrocketing in Michigan, and the curve that had previously been flattened is now a straight line moving up. Hospitals are nearing capacity and are burning through the personal protection equipment they have been provided.
On Nov. 6, the state recorded its 200,000th case of COVID-19. Whitmer also said that COVID-19 hospitalizations are up fivefold over the course of the last five weeks and the number of COVID-19 patients now stands at 60% of the April peak. Hospital workers expect the patient count across the state to double in the next two weeks to a new all-time high.
Given the exponential growth in cases and hospitalizations, she urged people not to gather for Thanksgiving.
Ingham County is also experiencing widespread COVID-19 transmission. As of Tuesday, Nov. 10, Ingham County reported 5,685 COVID-19 cases with 1,611 currently active. County hospitalizations in Sparrow and McLaren health facilities total 121 confirmed and suspected cases. Twelve are in the intensive care unit, and 12 are on ventilators.
Gathering limits are set to 10 people outdoors per Ingham County Health Department.
Today's press conference is expected to include more restrictions in Michigan. According to The Detroit News, Whitmer is expected to temporarily halt in-person instruction at high schools, colleges, dine-in service at restaurants and bars, and high school athletics as well as close some businesses, including movie theaters and casinos.
Current statewide restrictions include wearing a face mask at all non-residential gatherings including on public transit and in a business, store, office, government office, school, organized event or other operation.
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