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Gov. Whitmer provides update on COVID-19 in Michigan after hitting first vaccination goal

Posted at 7:12 AM, May 12, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-12 18:16:30-04

(WXYZ) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer provided an update on COVID-19 Wednesday morning, just days after the state reached its first goal in the MI Vacc to Normal plan, hitting 55% of people with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Whitmer said that more than 55% of people have gotten at least one does, more than 40% are fully vaccinated and 70% of seniors are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

She also shouted out Leelanau County, which became the first to hit 70% vaccinated, as well as Oakland, Washtenaw, Emmet and Grand Traverse counties who hit 60% vaccinated.

Both Whitmer and MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun continued to push vaccinations as the fastest way out of the pandemic.

As of Tuesday, Michigan's case rate, positivity rate and hospitalizations have all dropped since the mid-April surge.

On Monday, Michigan reached 55% of people 16 and up having at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the first benchmark in the state's MI Vacc to Normal Plan. That number will allow the workplaces to bring workers back into buildings starting on May 24.

Khaldun also asked all primary care doctors to enroll as vaccine providers as patients trust their doctors, and when they're ready, the state wants them to have vaccines on hand.

"The most important thing we can do is make vaccines available when someone is ready," Kahdlun said.

Once the state reaches 60% vaccinated, the curfew will be lifted on restaurants and bars, indoor capacity at banquet halls, funeral homes, conference centers and more will increase to 25%, indoor capacity at sports stadiums will increase to 25% and gym capacity will increase to 50%.

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