LANSING, Mich. — Over 1.6 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been administered in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday.
More than half a million people in the state have received both doses of the vaccine, but Whitmer said she will continue ramping up efforts to get as many people fully vaccinated.
The winter storm that barreled across mid-Michigan Monday night and Tuesday morning halted vaccination appointments in Lansing, but the Ingham County Health Department is working to get back on track.
Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said 4,165 shots will be administered this week despite rescheduling vaccination slots due to the storm.
COVID-19 rates have been trending down since mid-November. Hospital bed occupancy has declined by 79% and reports of outbreaks have decreased by 7% since last week.
Chief Deputy Director for Health Joneigh Khaldun urges Michigan to still remain vigilant as a new threat emerges.
“We will continue to keep a close eye on the number of cases of the B117 variant that has been identified,” she said.
So far, 157 cases of the variant have been found across 12 Michigan counties, including 90 cases at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia.
Khaldun said social distancing, quarantining and frequent testing are the best defense against the variant.
“As more and more people get vaccinated, we will be able to slow the spread of the virus even more and continue to re-engage our economy, get and keep our kids in school and get back to some sense of normalcy,” she said.
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
