by Becky Andrus | May 5, 2021 | Regional News
Oakland County Health Division COVID-19 Update On Vaccine Clinics And Doses For The Week of May 4 – May 10
Oakland County Holds First Walk-Up Clinics with Rep. Lawrence Ferndale and Oakland County Co-Host Two Clinics at Kulick Center
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Health Division will launch its first COVID-19 vaccine walk-up clinics on Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8 as part of U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence’s “Mass Vaccination Week, Walk-Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics in MI-14.” The Friday walk-up clinic will take place from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at UWM Sports Center, 867 South Blvd. E. in Pontiac. The Saturday walk-up clinic will run from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at North Farmington High School, 32900 W. 13 Mile Rd. in Farmington Hills.
Oakland County Health Division will hold 10 COVID-19 vaccine clinics the week of Tuesday, May 4 – Monday, May 10. For the first time, the city of Ferndale and the Health Division will co-host pop-up clinics at the Gerry Kulick Community Center on Wednesday, May 5 and Thursday, May 6 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. by appointment only. There will be 500 appointments each day. Wednesday’s appointments are full.
Other communities where Health Division is hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics this week include Farmington Hills, Holly, Novi, Pontiac, Rochester, and Rochester Hills. The county also is redistributing vaccine to 29 providers this week.
The State of Michigan distributed 18,540 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Oakland County Health Division this week. Here is the breakdown by manufacturer:
MANUFACTURER
Johnson & Johnson
| 1st Dose |
0 |
| 2nd Dose |
N/A |
| Total Doses |
0 |
Moderna
| 1st Dose |
2,700 |
| 2nd Dose |
1,800 |
| Total Doses |
4,500 |
Pfizer
| 1st Dose |
5,850 |
| 2nd Dose |
8,190 |
| Total Doses |
14,040 |
The following is an update on progress vaccinating Oakland County residents, according to the State of Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard as of April 30, 2021:
Total eligible residents: 1,029,737
- Number of residents who have received first dose: 610,919
- Number of residents who have completed vaccination: 461,034
- Vaccine coverage: 59.3%
Total eligible senior residents 65 and older: 217,676
- Number of senior residents who have received first dose: 172,193
- Number of senior residents who have completed vaccination: 155,002
- Vaccine coverage for senior residents: 79.1%
Total doses distributed within Oakland County: 1,047,545
- Total doses administered within Oakland County: 1,043,301
- Percentage of doses administered within Oakland County: 99.6%
by Becky Andrus | May 5, 2021 | Regional News
Governor Whitmer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun Statements on President Biden’s 70% Vaccination Target
LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun issued the following statement after President Joe Biden announced a national goal to have 70% of Americans get at least one dose of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine by July 4th. The announcement comes after Governor Whitmer unveiled her ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan to base additional re-engagements on vaccination rates, with the final step being 70% of eligible Michiganders receiving one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“In Michigan and across the United States, frontline healthcare workers, hospitals, and state and local governments are working tirelessly to administer doses of the safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines and save lives,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “After reaching 200 million shots in arms by President Biden’s 100th day in office, the federal government is following Michigan’s lead by announcing a new goal to have 70% of Americans vaccinated with at least one dose so we can return to the normalcy that we all crave as safely as possible. This is in line with the MI Vacc to Normal challenge we rolled out last week which ties re-engagements to certain vaccination metrics. So far, Michigan has administered over 7 million doses to more than 50% of Michiganders 16 and up, but to reach the 70% target, we will all have to do our part. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to get your COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines are trusted by doctors and our best shot at being free from this pandemic and the quickest way for our lives to return to normal. From polio to smallpox, vaccines have a long history of hope and healing. So, if you have gotten your shot already—thank you—I encourage you speak with friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues about your experience. We are getting closer to our goal and as more Michiganders get vaccinated, we can get Vacc to Normal and emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before.”
“Getting the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “I am proud that more than 50% of Michiganders have received their first dose and almost 40% have completed their vaccination. Vaccines give you the freedom and peace of mind to be able to do more things, but we still have work to do to reach our goal of vaccinating at least 70% of residents ages 16 and up. Get one of the three safe and effective vaccines as soon as you are able, and please remember you need to get your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to get the full immunity that these vaccines offer.”
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by Becky Andrus | May 5, 2021 | Regional News
Gov. Whitmer Signs Proclamation Marking May 3 – May 7 as Teacher Appreciation Week
LANSING, Mich. — Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking May 3 – May 7 as Teacher Appreciation Week.
“Teachers always go the extra mile for their students, but through the COVID-19 pandemic they have gone above and beyond to adapt to online learning and support their students,” said Whitmer. “Every child in Michigan deserves a high-quality public education, and I am proud that my administration is working to make that possible by securing the largest investment in K-12 education in state history to empower teachers, help students learn, and keep everyone safe.”
“We must always celebrate our teachers for their passion and commitment, and the joy they bring to educating our students and crafting our future,” said David Hecker, president of AFT Michigan. “This year we should celebrate their work even more given the incredible work teachers have done with our students during the pandemic.”
“Teachers, along with everyone who works in public education, deserve our support and gratitude for their commitment to students, especially in these unprecedented times,” said Paula Herbart, president of the Michigan Education Association. “The best way to show that appreciation is by lawmakers listening to concerns and ideas from frontline educators, which I’m pleased has been a hallmark of the Whitmer administration since Day One.”
According to the Office of Educator Excellence, as of February 2020 there are 86,300 public school teachers working in Michigan.
View full proclamation here.
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by Becky Andrus | May 5, 2021 | Regional News
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MDHHS Updates Epidemic Order and Lifts Mask
Requirements for Outdoor Gatherings of Under 100 People
Public health protocols relaxed for outdoor activities as more Michiganders get vaccinated with safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine
LANSING, MICH. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) its COVID-19 Gatherings and Face Masks epidemic order to encourage safer outdoor activities as spring and summer bring warmer weather and new opportunities to go outdoors. Under the new order, which goes into effect Thursday, May 6, and continues through Monday, May 31, masks are generally not required outdoors unless a gathering has 100 or more people.
In addition, anyone who is fully vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms is not required to wear a mask at residential gatherings, including indoors. New guidance for organized sports no longer requires routine COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated participants if they are asymptomatic. Masks continue to be required for contact sports but are no longer required outdoors during active practice and competition for non-contact sports. For example, softball and baseball players will be required to wear a mask in the dugout but not when at bat or playing first base.
MDHHS continues to urge Michiganders to follow CDC guidance, even where not specifically required by an epidemic order. For people who aren’t yet fully vaccinated, that means masking up whenever around other people not from your household.
“The commitment by Michiganders to receive the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is allowing us to move toward a return to normal,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “The vaccines work. That means once Michiganders are fully vaccinated, they do not have to abide by as many health guidelines because of the protection the vaccine provides from the spread of the virus. Last week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched the MI Vacc to Normal plan to set vaccine milestones to enable a return toward normalcy. This week we are taking further steps in that direction.”
The Gatherings and Mask Order preserves strong public health measures to control the spread of COVID-19.
“Getting your vaccine is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “Vaccines give you the freedom and peace of mind to be able to do more things, but we still have work to do to reach our goal of vaccinating at least 70% of residents ages 16 and up. Get one of the three safe and effective vaccines as soon as you are able, and please remember you need to get your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to get the full immunity that these vaccines offer.”
To date, 39.3% of Michigan residents 16 and older had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and 50.6% had received at least a first dose.
Updates to the Gatherings and Masks Order encourage outdoor events with larger capacities permitted for entertainment and recreational facilities and for sports stadiums and arenas that hold events outdoors. This includes:
- Large outdoor events, including festivals, fairs, and golf tournaments will be able to exceed the current 1,000-person limit so long as they create and post a safety plan consistent with the MDHHS Large Outdoor Event Guidance, and no more than 20 persons per 1,000 square feet are gathered in any space available to patrons.
- Outdoor stadiums and arenas:
- Stadiums complying with enhanced protocols will continue to be allowed to operate at 20% of their fixed seating capacity. For example, a stadium with a maximum capacity complying with enhanced protocols would be permitted to host 8,000 patrons.
- Otherwise, for stadiums or arenas with a fixed seating capacity of 5,000 or greater without enhanced protocols 1,000 patrons may be gathered (previously 750).
- For stadiums or arenas with a fixed seating capacity of 10,000 or greater without enhanced protocols 1,500 patrons may be gathered.
- Residential outdoor gatherings are allowed up to 50 people. Or, where density does not exceed 20 persons per 1,000 square feet of usable outdoor space, up to 300 people may be gathered.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus. To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.
MEDIA CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112 |
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by Becky Andrus | May 5, 2021 | Regional News
Adopt a Furry Friend at ‘Empty the Shelters’ Event This Week at the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center Reduced fee thanks to BISSELL Pet Foundation
PONTIAC, Mich., May 4, 2021– If you’ve always wanted a dog or a cat but have been putting it off, the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center and BISSELL Pet Foundation (BPF) may help you make your decision a little easier – and at a huge savings.
Beginning Wednesday May 5 through Friday, May 7, pet adoption fees have been slashed from $139.50 to $25 for a dog and from $57.50 to $15 for a cat, courtesy of Bissell and its Empty the Shelters promotion. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pet adoption center is open by appointment only from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. daily. Prospective pet owners should call 248-858-1070 to schedule an appointment.
“Pets make wonderful companions and there is no better time to bring home a pet,” said Bob Gatt, center manager. “The Bissell Pet Foundation continues to be a generous partner and we are grateful for its support during the pandemic.”
All animals included in the Empty the Shelters promotion are microchipped and spayed or neutered to prevent further pet homelessness. To adopt a pet, bring a driver’s license or state identification, complete an application, and pay the $25 fee.
About 25 dogs and 70 cats are available for adoption. Some of the dogs will be adopted through a rescue organization that will be on site. For more information or to view the pet inventory online, go to OakGov.com/PetAdoption.
Thanks to the Bissell Pet Foundation, more than 40,500 pets have found new homes. Bissell supports nearly 170 shelters.
