(WWJ) Michigan’s mask indoor mask mandate for the fully vaccinated has been lifted as of 9 a.m. today (Saturday)
University of Michigan epidemiologist, Dr. Arnold Monto, is dubious about removing the masks.
“This is a great vaccine,” Monto told WWJ. “We never anticipated 95% protection, almost complete protection against severe disease. But five out of 100 episodes, you’re going to get infected. That’s why I have a little bit of concern for those who would get severely ill, even if they had the vaccine. They’ve got to continue to be a little bit careful in certain situations.”
This comes as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports 755, 119 Michiganders are considered recovered from COVID-19 after living 30 days since testing positive.
1,289 new COVID-19 cases have been identified in the past 24 hours. 16 people who tested positive for the virus died within that time frame, and 91 more deaths were reported from weeks or months ago through a tri-weekly review of Vital Records. The current fatality rate of the state's total confirmed cases is 2.1%.
MDHHS said the state considers counts a person as a COVID-19 death if: "they had a confirmed COVID-19 infection and are classified as deceased by the case investigation, have COVID-19 indicated as a cause of death on their death certificate or die within 30 days of infection and their manner of death is listed as natural."
MDHHS data shows hospitalizations are also declining. Nearly 2,200 hundred people are hospitalized statewide with a confirmed case of the virus. That’s about half as many as just a little over a month ago. On April 12, more than 4,000 COVID-19 patients filled hospitals across Michigan.
Currently, about 600 people are in the Intensive Care Unit while about 550 of them are on ventilators.
Nearly 40 children are hospitalized with a confirmed case of the virus.
The test positivity rate is also rapidly declining, with just over 6% of COVID-19 tests conducted in the past 24 hours coming back positive. A month ago, it was about 15%.
The Michigan COVID vaccine dashboard reports 55.7% of Michiganders 16+ have received at least their first dose with over 7.6 million vaccine doses administered statewide.
Nearly 70% of Michiganders 75 and older are fully vaccinated, and nearly 71% in the 65-74 age group. Vaccination rates in general go down in younger age groups. 50-64: 52% fully vaccinated. 40-49: 38.3%. 20-29: 24.8%.
Under Governor Whitmer’s Vax Back to Normal Plan; Michigan has reached its first benchmark allowing the work from home order to be lifted come May 24. The next milestone, of 60% will allow for an increase indoor capacity at stadiums, conference halls and funeral homes to go to 25%, increase gym capacity to 50% and lifts curfew on restaurants and bars.
At 65% plus two weeks; all indoor capacity restrictions will be lifted, requiring only social distancing between parties and at 70% (plus two weeks) the Gatherings and Face Masks Order will be broadly lifted.
On Friday, Governor Whitmer announced that Michigan would lift the indoor and outdoor mask mandate for fully vaccinated people in accordance with the updated CDC guidance.
Dr. Nigel Paneth, a Michigan State University epidemiologist, spoke live on WWJ.
“If vaccinated only stop wearing masks, there’s going to be no trouble…” he said. “The trouble is unvaccinated people who take this as a message to let their guard down…”
Unvaccinated individuals, and those who are in the middle of the vaccination process, are still required to wear a mask indoors to “protect themselves and others,” but may remove it outdoors, according to Michigan’s updated mandate.
“After months of getting out the da** vaccines,” Gov. Whitmer said in a video announcing the change. “The data is clear. The COVID-19 vaccines are a miracle of modern science.”
The CDC says even fully vaccinated people should still wear masks in buses, planes, hospitals, homeless shelters and prisons. People with weakened immune systems, such as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant survivors, are urged to talk with their doctors before removing their masks, regardless of their vaccination status
As of now, on July 1, Michigan’s widespread mask mandate is set to expire for everyone.
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