DETROIT (WWJ) -- The COVID-19 vaccine will not be required for any Detroit city workers... at least for the time being.
Mayor Mike Duggan took to the podium on Tuesday to voice his concerns about an alarming rise in COVID-19 numbers all across Michigan, including in Detroit, as the state enters a fourth surge of the virus approaching the holidays.
"Statewide, this is the highest rate of infection we have had; that's where we are today," the mayor said. "And in the city of Detroit, not quite to our peak...but I would expect in a week or two Detroit will exceed that as well."
In the last week, the city of Detroit and Wayne County registered a total of 2,507 new cases of COVID-19; the most for the area since March of this year
Duggan's remarks came after a release by the city indicated officials would be announcing a "vaccine mandate" for many non-union workers. On that topic, Duggan said they got a little ahead of themselves, and would be taking more time to consider.
Meanwhile, Duggan said he's looking for his administration to set the tone for residents who may not be taking the necessary precautions to avoid contracting the virus.
"We still have, in the city of Detroit, a very low vaccination rate," Duggan said. "And one of the things that I wanna do in the next week or two, if this continues to go the wrong direction, is I think the mayor's office outta establish a leadership role."
"We're talking about the appointees in my office, which is a pretty large executive office, all being vaccinated."
The mayor stopped short of saying that the city will re-establish a mask mandate for residents; although he did praise the mask mandates that officials with Motor City Casino and MGM Grand began enforcing for customers and staff at noon on Tuesday.
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Dr. Robert Dunn, the city's acting medical director, was asked whether he's advising residents to avoid large family gatherings on Thanksgiving Day.
"I think it really depends on the social circle," Dunn said. "If these are people that are already in your social circle, that you're normally interacting with, and you've taken appropriate precautions, I think that's fine."
However, Dunn warned: "I think multiple people coming in from out of town creates a situation that it's much more likely for people to get infected."
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