Graphic Media Alliance

04/28/2021

COVID-19 Updates from Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky

Ohio State Updates: 4/21 - 4/27

Governor DeWine announced that any Ohioan who has been fully vaccinated will no longer have to quarantine if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19. This health order applies to all adults, except those who are in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or other congregate care settings. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks after the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. As of 4/27, 4.6 million Ohioans have received their first vaccine, and 3.6 million are fully vaccinated. 

Ohio's centralized scheduling website is available at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov. The website serves as a singular location for Ohioans to confirm that they are eligible to be vaccinated, identify nearby providers, and schedule their vaccine appointments. Ohioans can also schedule mass vaccination clinic appointments by calling 1-833-4-ASK-ODH (1-833-427-5634).

Ohio came up about 11,400 people short of what was needed to retain 16 seats in the U.S. House for the next five elections. Ohio is one of seven states that will each lose a seat based on the census 2020 results. Other losers include Ohio neighbors, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The gainers are all in the South and West, led by Texas, which will pick up two seats.

When Ohio reaches 50 cases per 100,000 people for two weeks, all health orders will be lifted. The current measurement is 185.3 cases per 100,000 people as of 4/28, down from 200.0.

Ohio recorded another decrease in new COVID-19 cases, with an average of 1,513 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 1,779 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. 

There have been 1,068,985  total cases reported in Ohio with 19,188 deaths reported. There are 1,242 Ohioans hospitalized with 345 in the ICU. 199 patients are on a ventilator. A total of 13,610,773 tests have been administered, which puts Ohio at a 7-day Positivity Rate of 3.5%. 

A total of 4,643,330 Ohioans have received at least one valid does of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of that number, 3,601,998 have been fully vaccinated.

As of Wednesday, April 28, 52 out of 88 counties are in the red zone on the state’s COVID-19 incidence rate map. You can see how your county is doing here.

Michigan State Updates: 4/21 - 4/27

Governor Gretchen Whitmer set the state of Michigan on a pathway to return to normal by unveiling the ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan today as the state continues to push toward its goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders ages 16 years or older. To facilitate this goal, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will base future epidemic order actions on four vaccination-based milestones that, once achieved, will enable Michigan to take a step toward normalcy.

Michigan continues to have some of the strongest public health policies in the Midwest. The state still has a mask mandate and capacity limitations on indoor dining, indoor gatherings, and entertainment venues. As the number of vaccinations increase, experts have said that states can begin loosening some public health policies as these activities become less risky for vaccinated individuals. 

The ‘MI Vacc to Normal’ plan will use four vaccination-based milestones -- using data for Michiganders 16 years or older who’ve received their first dose -- to guide future steps required to get back to normal:

• 55% of Michiganders (4,453,304 residents), plus two weeks
  • Allows in-person work for all sectors of business.
• 60% of Michiganders (4,858,150 residents), plus two weeks
  • Increases indoor capacity at sports stadiums to 25%.
  • Increases indoor capacity at conference centers/banquet halls/funeral homes to 25%.
  • Increases capacity at exercise facilities and gyms to 50%.
  • Lifts the curfew on restaurants and bars.
• 65% of Michiganders (5,262,996 residents), plus two weeks
  • Lifts all indoor % capacity limits, requiring only social distancing between parties.
  • Further relaxes limits on residential social gatherings.
• 70% of Michiganders (5,667,842 residents), plus two weeks
  • Lifts the Gatherings and Face Masks Order such that MDHHS will no longer employ broad mitigation measures unless unanticipated circumstances arise, such as the spread of vaccine-resistant variants.

The Michigan Community Service Commission announced $200,000 in grant awards to nonprofit organizations to aid COVID-19 response and recovery. They will partner with 13 organizations to launch the Michigan Community Resilience Program. The initiative will focus on making an impact during the COVID-19 response and recovery by expanding volunteerism and increasing the efficiency, effectiveness and geographic reach of organizations throughout the state. The funding for this program comes through a Volunteer Generation Fund grant from AmeriCorps. 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is recommending vaccine providers across the state resume the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to vaccinate Michiganders age 18 and older. This recommendation is based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending to move forward with administering the vaccine. The agencies previously recommended a pause on April 13 while experts conducted a thorough safety review after reports of a rare blood clotting syndrome in some people.

The two agencies have determined the following:

• Use of the Jonson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should be resumed in the United States.
• The FDA and CDC have confidence that this vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19.
• The FDA has determined that the available data show that the vaccine's known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.
• At this time, the available data suggest that the chance of TTS occurring is very low, but the FDA and CDC will remain vigilant in continuing to investigate this risk.
• Health care providers administering the vaccine and vaccine recipients or caregivers should review the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) and Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers, which have been revised to include information about the risk of this syndrome, which has occurred in a very small number of people who have received the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

Vaccine safety monitoring will continue and any new information about TTS will be brought to ACIP as needed. To find a vaccination location and schedule an appointment, visit the Michigan.gov/Coronavirus website or the CDC COVID Vaccine Finder.

In an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and select Michigan airports, are piloting a Travel Points Testing program this spring - bringing antigen COVID-19 testing to locations with high volumes of travel. Quick and cost-free testing will be offered at several Michigan Welcome Centers and airports throughout the state, with results available in as little as 15 minutes. Walk ups are taken as space allows, and an option to register online while in line via a mobile device will also be available. Insurance is not required, and results can be obtained via text, email or uploaded to the traveler's patient portal. Testing trailers will be located on the grounds of Michigan Welcome Centers. Testing stations will be located at multiple locations inside Michigan airports.

Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency has been operating during the last year of the pandemic by not requiring claimants to search for work to receive benefits. With business groups clamoring for the change amid a search for more workers, Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency on Tuesday told a House panel work search and registration requirements will be back online by the end of May. Some businesses have complained of trouble hiring because unemployment pays more than usual right now with extra money from the federal government. The state has been operating during the last year by not requiring claimants to search for work to receive benefits. Stephanie Glidden, chief of staff at the UIA, said the agency is working with its vendor to make the changes necessary to get the work search and requirements back online by the end of May. The agency originally wanted it to be back online sooner but there have been technical difficulties. Glidden said a change needs to be made to ensure those certifying over the phone are able to report.

In an effort to reach more Michiganders in need of COVID-19 testing and other public health services, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with Genesee Community Health Center (GCHC) to provide mobile COVID-19 testing, vaccines and PPE, along with food, clothing and other social services. Genesee Community Health Center provides a medical home with a focus on the health of the whole person, offering primary care and mental health and substance use services and other community supports.

New Michigan COVID-19 cases increased slightly last week with an average of 6,503 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 6,405 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.

There have been 923,464 total cases reported in Michigan with 18,563 deaths reported. There are 3,262 Michiganders hospitalized with 843 in the ICU. 547 patients are on a ventilator. A total of 13,324,062 tests have been administered, which puts Michigan at a 7-day Positivity Rate of 11.5%. 

A total of 4,155,224 million Michiganders have received at least one valid does of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of that number, 3,015,497 have been fully vaccinated.

As of Wednesday, April 28, 73 out of 83 counties are in the red zone on the state’s COVID-19 incidence rate map. You can see how your county is doing here.

Kentucky State Updates: 4/1 - 4/27

There have been more than 4,400 in-person appointments scheduled for unemployment insurance assistance at 13 regional Kentucky Career Centers. New appointments are available each night at midnight Monday through Friday. If you have an in-person appointment, you should bring two forms of ID with you. The website kcc.ky.gov, under “unemployment services,” lists what identification documents are acceptable.

The Office of Unemployment Insurance will reinstate work search requirements May 9. Claimants will be required to seek suitable full-time employment and report at least one job contact per week. It is recommended that claimants keep a record of all of their job contacts, including the name of the business, the title of the position, the name/title of the person contacted, the date of the contact and the method of contact (phone, email, address, etc.). Claimants will be required to provide these details during their bi-weekly benefit requests. More information on work search requirements is available at kcc.ky.gov.

Based on recent studies and Kentucky’s increasing number of vaccinations, the statewide mask mandate will no longer be in effect when Kentuckians are outside at events or venues with 1,000 people or fewer. The state will be able to lift even more restrictions once the 2.5 million vaccine Team Kentucky Vaccination Challenge is reached.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine may be used in individuals 18 and older as outlined in the current FDA Emergency Use Authorization. All Kentucky vaccination sites may now resume use of the J&J vaccine with the inventory already in their possession, although vaccination sites may prefer to wait until more detailed guidance from the CDC and FDA is provided. At present, new J&J vaccine shipments into Kentucky are not anticipated until the week of May 3.

New COVID-19 cases have increased in Kentucky this week, with an average of 719 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 547 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate.

There have been 441,880 total cases reported in Kentucky with 6,476 deaths reported. There are 397 Kentuckians hospitalized with 103 in the ICU. 41 patients are on a ventilator. A total of 5,505,255 tests have been administered, which puts Kentucky at a 7-day Positivity Rate of 3.17%. 

A total of 1,807,447 Kentuckians have received at least one valid does of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of that number, 1,369,640 have been fully vaccinated.

As of Wednesday, April 28, 7 out of 120 counties are in the red zone on the state’s COVID-19 incidence rate map. You can see how your county is doing here.