Community spread forces changes to COVID-19 contact tracing in Michigan

STRAIT – With COVID-19 affecting long-term care facilities this spring, the city of Detroit health department is preparing for testing this week.

“We will be supporting nursing homes with on-site COVID-19 testing in all nursing homes over the next two weeks,” said Denise Fair, director of the Detroit Department of Health. “Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be testing patients and staff.”

Detroit is in better shape when it comes to COVID-19 positive rates than its neighboring counties.

Community spread of the virus has forced health departments across the state to change tactics.

LILY: Michigan Health Director Explains Need For Extended COVID-19 Restrictions

LILY: Governor Whitmer hopes the Michiganders ‘double down so we can avoid a stay at home order’

LILY: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan Provides Update on City’s Situation in COVID-19 Fight

In Ingham County, home to both the state capital and Michigan State University, contact tracing in all cases is no longer possible. This means the health department will focus on cases affecting groups like college students and those over 65.

“There are a lot more cases,” said Linda Vail, Ingham County health official. “If we had 50 or 60 cases a day, we were a bit overwhelmed … Last week we had 200 cases a day.

Vail recommends that parents of MSU students keep them at home and not on campus to continue their distance learning.

Coronavirus in Michigan

• Here are 14 changes that will take effect under Michigan’s new COVID-19 restrictions
• 17 things still allowed during Michigan’s three-week COVID-19 hiatus

How to Track Michigan COVID-19 Data

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit have been tracking the latest data to help better understand the situation statewide.

Our COVID-19 Data section tracks many key data points that health officials closely monitor every day.

Track the main COVID-19 data points in Michigan: