Michigan Health Director Resigns Contact Sports COVID Variant

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer provided an update on COVID-19 in the state, including the future of contact sports, the spread of a new variant of COVID and more information on the resignation of the Michigan health director.

Here are our seven takeaways from Monday afternoon’s briefing.

Whitmer reported progress in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the state, comparing the current figures to those of two weeks ago.

Michigan had administered only 44% of the state-controlled vaccines two weeks ago, although the rest had to be administered, she said.

Today, 67% of the state’s vaccine supply has gone to arms, Whitmer said.

“This is good news, and I’m proud, as we all should be, of the progress we’ve made,” Whitmer said.

As the state reports progress in its vaccine distribution efforts, there are still thousands of eligible residents trying to make appointments.

State officials said they are still working to get enough vaccines for everyone in Phases 1A and 1B to receive their first doses.

“I know people are anxious and ready to get the shot, and frankly that’s a good thing,” Whitmer said. “The point is, we don’t have the kind of supply we need yet.”

She said Michigan officials have a plan to vaccinate 50,000 people a day.

“Once we have the vaccines we need, every eligible Michigander who wants a vaccine will get the vaccine,” Whitmer said.

The governor spoke about vaccinations, food aid and the loss of jobs while highlighting steps his administration is taking to help the Michiganders get through the pandemic.

She said nearly 900,000 children in the state had received food assistance through a partnership between the MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Education.

But Whitmer also highlighted some of the issues that still plague the state. She said some students were losing their jobs due to the pandemic and some had to choose between college and food.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel, however, we are still in the tunnel,” Whitmer said.

She has called on the Michigan legislature to pass its COVID stimulus package, which includes a boost in vaccine distribution, support for small businesses and additional guidance for schools.

MDHHS medical director Dr Joneigh Khaldun provided updated COVID-19 measurements for the state.

Michigan’s case rate is 203 cases per million people, she said. That’s down 72% from the November high.

The percentage of state tests that come back positive is also declining. It currently sits at 6.2%, according to Khaldun.

The percentage of in-patient beds currently occupied by patients with COVID-19 is 9.2%, she said.

The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, continues to spread in Michigan, Khaldun said.

On Monday, the state identified at least 13 confirmed cases in Washtenaw County and four confirmed cases in Wayne County.

“There are probably more cases that we haven’t identified yet, and there may be a spread of the variant that’s happening right now,” Khaldun said.

She said the variant spreads more easily from person to person, but does not appear to cause more serious illness. Current tests can identify the variant and the vaccine appears to work against it, she said.

But since it is more contagious, officials are concerned that the variant is causing a dramatic increase in Michigan’s case and positivity rates.

“We don’t want to have to step back to slow down the great strides we have already made,” Khaldun said.

MDHHS Director Robert Gordon abruptly quit on Friday, and Whitmer quickly appointed Elizabeth Hertel to fill the position.

Hertel joined Whitmer for Monday’s briefing and offered his first comments since assuming the post of Michigan health director.

“I am honored to be here for the first time as director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,” Hertel said.

She thanked Gordon for “his service and support to our mission, as well as his service to our state and its residents.”

Hertel spoke about steps taken to ensure Michigan families have access to food during the pandemic.

“I am proud to lead this department, where I can see evidence of the differences that are made every day, whether it’s ensuring Michiganders have access to benefits or food during tough times, or protecting the public health of Michiganders in times of crisis, ”said Hertel. “I look forward to continuing this wonderful work alongside my colleagues from the MDHHS.”

When Whitmer issued a statement announcing Hertel’s appointment as Michigan’s new health director on Friday, the only mention of Gordon was a single sentence at the very end of the statement:

“Robert Gordon has resigned his post and the governor has accepted his resignation.”

Whitmer was asked about Gordon’s resignation during the question-and-answer portion of Monday’s briefing.

“I want to thank Robert Gordon, and Director Hertel did as well,” Whitmer said. “Running this department under unimaginable circumstances has been exhausting, and on behalf of all the people of Michigan, I want to thank him for his service to our state. He worked hard to protect our public.

Whitmer left it at that and said she was glad there was “another incredibly qualified person” to lead the department.

She was asked specifically about her relationship with Gordon.

“I don’t think I have anything to add in regards to my comments on the former manager,” Whitmer said. “I shared with you that I wished him good luck. I’m grateful for his leadership and we have a great new manager at the apartment, so we’ll keep moving forward here.

Two questions later, Whitmer was pressed once again to find out if she had asked for Gordon’s resignation and if the news was expected.

“I think I answered that question,” Whitmer said. “I think the only thing I would say is it’s been two grueling years, and changes in administration are happening. I wish Robert Gordon the best. I really do, and I’m incredibly grateful for the hard work and how it has shown itself every day over the past few years. It has been a long experience impossible to imagine, and I am grateful that we have had his leadership for two years and wish him good luck as he progresses.

A ban on certain winter contact sports has become a controversial topic in Michigan, especially as high school football finals were allowed to continue this weekend.

Dr Nikolai Vitti, the superintendent of schools in Detroit, sent a letter to Whitmer on Monday saying it’s inconsistent to push for a return to in-person learning by March 1, but to refuse to restart contact sports.

“The continued suspension of ‘contact’ winter sports contradicts the message that it is safe to revert to in-person learning,” Vitti wrote. “Just ask any winter sport athlete for ‘contact’ and they will tell you that we are sending them mixed and conflicting messages.”

Whitmer said officials were watching contact sports numbers closely.

“I think it’s important to stress (the variant) and the seriousness and the highly contagious aspects of this variant,” Whitmer said. “I understand the concern parents and athletes have and their desire to re-engage, but I also point out some events that have just happened in recent days.”

The governor was referring to an outbreak at the University of Michigan that forced the sports department to shut down completely for two weeks.

“Our job is to try to stop the spread of this new virus, this new variant in Michigan, and we have to not let our guard down,” Whitmer said.