As infection rate falls below 1%, Gov. Whitmer praises Michiganders, outlines next steps

LANSING, Mich. — Almost 100 days after COVID-19 was confirmed in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that Michigan schools may resume in-person learning — with strict safety measures in place.

The reason, she said, is that Michigan is on track to contain the disease.

"The vast majority of people in our state have done the right thing by staying home and staying safe, and taking this moment very seriously," Whitmer said. "Orders are important, but it's what the peole do that makes a difference."

• COVID-19: Find the latest information on the pandemic on the coronavirus page
  

Pointing to a study from the Imperial College COVID-19 response team, based in London, Whitmer said the data is remarkable, revealing that before the state's stay-at-home orders were in place the average infected person spread the disease to three new people, but now that number is less than one.

"Our action is working. Michigan is standing out as having done well in terms of pushing our curve down," she said. "The aggressive actions that we've taken here in Michigan, have protected our families from the spread of COVID-19 and have significantly lowered the number of cases and deaths that would have occurred had the state done nothing."

Pointing to a map on infection risk created by a group of health and science professionals, COVID Act Now, Whitmer said Michigan is leading the nation in efforts to contain the virus.

"Only Michigan and New York are on track to contain COVID-19," she said.

Stick to the rules

Social distancing requirements are still in place, Whitmer said. She encouraged all residents to wear masks when in public. She also pointed to studies that show the risk of transmission drops considerably when people wear face coverings.

Whitmer offered warnings, too, regarding what not to do as the state reopens, sharing images from social media posts revealing crowded restaurants.

"Don't go out and cram into a place of accommodation that was previously closed," she said. "And if you are going out, use the best practices to keep yourself and others safe."

Pointing to another study, Whitmer said data projections show that if that if 80 percent of U.S. residents would wear a mask, COVID-19 infections would plummet, Whitmer said.

"So let's stay smart, and stay vigilant and stay in the lead. "Whitmer said.

Michigan's chief medical officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said testing will continue as part of the continued work, and the state is working hard to expand testing.

"If you work outside of the home, you should absolutely get tested," Khaldun said.

Testing sites across the state are listed on the state's coronavirus website pages.

Re-starting classroom education

"Nothing can replace the value of face-to-face instruction," Whitmer said Wednesday while announcing that on June 30 she will release an executive order and a document called "Michigan's Return to School Roadmap" that will provide details on how schools should proceed.

"With the entire state of Michigan in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan, we are optimistic that schools will be able to conduct in-person instruction while also complying with strict safety measures," Whitmer said.

Whitmer said the actions Michigan has taken over the past couple months have significantly reduced the rate of infection in the state.

• Roadmap for schools: Advisory council, governor to release details June 30

Whitmer said a special task force has been looking at the re-opening of schools and developing a plan that aligns with the state's safe start initiatives. Districts may choose to adopt more aggressive guidelines than the state develops, but they must follow the minimum requirements.

She also said the minimum requirements will apply to all schools, public, private and parochial.

New cases in Kalamazoo region

Khaldun said during the briefing that there are 22 new cases of COVID-19 per 1 million people per day in the Kalamazoo MERC (Michigan Economic Recovery Council) region, which includes Kalamazoo and Branch counties.

Khaldun said the Branch County health department is working to expand testing and contain an outbreak particularly with a pepper farm.

This isn't over, Khaldun said, and it won't be until, at least, a vaccine is found to prevent the disease.

"Michigan's fight against COVID-19 is nowhere near over," Khaldun said. "Please do not think that just because we're seeing a decline in cases, that the risk has gone away."

The state is still seeing outbreaks in some areas, she said. All it takes is a couple people to spread the disease and we'll see another rise in cases, she said.

"Wear your mask where you're out in public," Khaldun said. "Wear it every time you're going to be in a public place, or not able to remain six feet apart from other people. Wash your hands diligently ... with soap and water ... and clean frequently touched surfaces ... often."

If not feeling well, she said, stay home.

MI Safe Start Plan

The state is moving through Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan, which includes six different phases of re-opening. Currently, the Upper Peninsula and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula are in Phase 5, while the rest of the state is in Phase 4. At the beginning of June, Whitmer said she wanted to have then entire state in Phase 5 by July 4.

Restaurants, bars and retail are allowed to open under capacity restrictions and utilizing social distancing guidelines. Personal care services, like tanning, tattoo parlors, hair and nail salons are also open with restrictions. In regions operating in Phase 5, gyms and theaters are also able to welcome customers back.

As of Tuesday June 16, 2020, the rate of COVID-19 infection in Michigan fell below 1%, according to COVID Act Now, a website on the pandemic operated by a team of medical and science professionals. Total COVID-19 cases in Michigan topped 60,000 Tuesday, based on data reported by the state. The total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Michigan hit 5,790.

Whitmer is scheduled to be joined by Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state’s top medical executive, for a news conference slated to start at 11 a.m.

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