(WWJ) A new report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows there were 104 COVID-19 outbreaks in schools across the state over the past week.
One school, Carmen Ainsworth in Flint, reported 56 students and staff members were infected with the coronavirus. Some of the other larger outbreaks were at Universal Learning Academy in Westland, Summit Academy North Middle School in Romulus and at Arbor Prep High School in Ypsilanti. according to MDHHS.
In Oakland County, Hugger Elementary in the Rochester Community Schools district reported nine students with COVID, while Macomb County reported three outbreaks at Armada Middle School, Eaton Academy in Eastpointe and St. Peter Lutheran School in Macomb Township.
All totaled, the outbreaks affected more than 650 students just as the state is beginning to vaccinate younger students, ages 5-11.
The school outbreaks list is updated once a week, on Mondays. VIEW THE FULL LIST HERE.
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When it comes to most outbreaks by setting, WWJ's Dr. Deanna Lites reports schools top the list with the most this week, followed by longterm care facilities and childcare and youth programs.
What counts as an "outbreak"? Beginning in October, the state has redefined what qualifies as a school outbreak, based on new guidance from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. A school must now have three or more associated cases to make the list, while an outbreak previously consisted of two or more cases.
If your institution is listed, MDDHS says your local health department and school are investigating the outbreak and will contact you directly if you (or your minor/child) were possibly exposed to coronavirus on the school grounds.
These school outbreaks come as Michigan has been seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases this fall. On Monday, MDHHS reported 8,911 new confirmed COVID-19 cases over a three-day period.
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According to the health department, 1,166,517 people in Michigan have been infected with the novel coronavirus since the pandemic began, and 22,521 people have died. In positive news, 1,026,195 Michiganders who tested positive have.
The latest information on the coronavirus in Michigan, including about testing sites and vaccinations, can be found at michigan.gov/coronavirus/.