LANSING (WWJ) -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took to the podium with a message for Michiganders as latest coronavirus variant spreads in the state ahead of the holidays.
Whitmer said catching the virus is going to be difficult to avoid for many, warning at a news conference Tuesday: "We're in for a tough four to six weeks."
This comes as six cases of the highly contagious omicron variant have been confirmed in Michigan; although health officials believe there are many more than that at this point.
The best way to avoid getting sick over the holidays, Whitmer said, is to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and get a booster shot.
"Because this virus is mutating and spreading so quickly, every one of us is likely going to have some exposure at some point. What is our goal? To stay out of the hospital and stay alive," the governor said.
While COVID-19 cases in Michigan have dropped slightly, after weeks of the virus raging in the state, Whitmer said because of omicron she cannot forcast a continued decline.
The governor said she's worried about overworked and overstressed hospital employees, but while 44% of Michigan residents remain unvaccinated she will not issue any mandates.
"Sweeping mandates are less likely to influence and encourage that population to get vaccinated," she said. "And that's why it's an education effort. It is sharing what the experience is, what the real threat is, how powerful and quick-spreading the omicron variant is, and why it's important that we avail ourselves of these vaccines."
In addition to getting vaccinated and boosted, Whitmer said the usual advice applies: "Not having big groups of people that you don't know their status and that you're in close contact, and it's not ventilated and you're not masked up...these are the things we know and these are the tools we have that we didn't have, like, a year ago."
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So far, the Michigan Department of Health and Humane Services says the omicron variant has been identified in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Genesee and Kent counties, and is now common nationwide.
"As Omicron becomes the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States, we all have to step up this holiday season to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe," said Whitmer. "We must all take action to protect ourselves and help our healthcare workers and hospitals do their jobs. I encourage every Michigander who is eligible to get their booster shot. Together, we can help 1 million more Michiganders, including 95% of all eligible nursing home residents get their boosters by the end of January 2022."
"We know from preliminary data that the booster offers more robust protection against Omicron," the governor said. "A 15-minute appointment to get your booster can help keep you out of the hospital and save your life. If you still have not gotten vaccinated yet, know that it is not a matter of if you will get sick but of when. We have safe and effective vaccines. Please get your shots."
As of last official count on Monday, just 4,000 COVID-19 patients remained hospitalized, which was down from the all-time high of 4,700 the previous Monday. An average of 4,600 new cases per day have been reported to the state health department over the past three days, and the seven-day moving average of cases is the lowest it's been in more than a month.
Dr. Dennis Cunningham, Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention for Henry Ford Health System, said he anticipates that hospitals will be getting busier over the next few weeks.
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"We're very concerned," the doctor said, "and the reason for that is if you need to have a booster does of a COVID vaccine for protection, people who've had a previous COVID infection without the vaccine have a very high risk of becoming infected with omicron."
"And unfortunately the initial reports that it was gonna be a more mild variant haven't panned out, and it looks like it can cause the same amount of severe disease."
Cunningham said those eligible for a COVID booster shot can get one six months after their initial two doses, and about seven to ten days after a COVID infection, once symptoms have subsided.
He urged people to stay home when they're sick, wear masks in public, and have smaller gatherings over the holidays.
Get the latest COVID-19 numbers for Michigan, plus details on testing and were to get vaccinated, at this link.
President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday plans to distribute half a billion free, at-home COVID-19 test kits to help relieve the stress on the country's hospitals and healthcare system.
In response to Biden's announcement, Whitmer said she's "grateful to our federal partners" as the omicron variant surges.
"Our hospitals and health care workers have been working tirelessly for nearly two years and they are at a breaking point," she said. "Michigan welcomes the federal emergency response team that will help keep people safe and ensure our health care system remains operational. In January, the federal government will also set up a website where you can request free, at-home rapid tests to be mailed to you."
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