SCHOOL CLOSINGS
University of Michigan announces new COVID policies as federal public health emergency ends
Read full article: University of Michigan announces new COVID policies as federal public health emergency endsHere's what will change for U-M students, faculty and staff moving forward as the school adjusts its pandemic response.
Washtenaw County announces free COVID-19 treatment, testing for residents without insurance
Read full article: Washtenaw County announces free COVID-19 treatment, testing for residents without insuranceThe Washtenaw County Health Department announced on Tuesday a new COVID-19 program for residents without health insurance or access to a health care provider.
Washtenaw County returns to “low” COVID risk level, according to Health Department
Read full article: Washtenaw County returns to “low” COVID risk level, according to Health DepartmentWashtenaw County has once again been downgraded to a “low” community COVID-19 level on Friday, according to the Washtenaw County Health Department.
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls on White House to crack down on COVID test charges
Read full article: Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib calls on White House to crack down on COVID test chargesAs thousands of Metro Detroit residents continue to get tested for COVID, there’s renewed concern over insurance companies attempting to bill patients for tests that are supposed to be free.
Free COVID antigen testing on Saturday for Ann Arbor Public Schools families, staff
Read full article: Free COVID antigen testing on Saturday for Ann Arbor Public Schools families, staffBetween 9 a.m. and noon, the National Guard will be at Pioneer High School helping to test AAPS community members who register for the event.
Washtenaw County Health Department urges preventative measures as Omicron cases surge
Read full article: Washtenaw County Health Department urges preventative measures as Omicron cases surgeOn Friday, Washtenaw County Health Department officials urged community members to use available strategies to prevent cases of severe illness and reduce transmission.
St. Clair County Health Department suspends walk-in rapid COVID testing due to limited supply
Read full article: St. Clair County Health Department suspends walk-in rapid COVID testing due to limited supplyThe St. Clair County Health Department is suspending walk-in rapid COVID testing due to “temporary limitations in antigen testing supplies and high demand.”
Washtenw County Health Department: Largest number of COVID-19 cases reported in 24 hours on Friday
Read full article: Washtenw County Health Department: Largest number of COVID-19 cases reported in 24 hours on FridayBetween Thursday and Friday, Washtenaw County reported 1,403 COVID-19 cases—the largest number the county has seen within 24 hours since the beginning of the ongoing pandemic.
Oakland County expands drive-thru COVID testing sites, begins boosters for 12-15
Read full article: Oakland County expands drive-thru COVID testing sites, begins boosters for 12-15To keep up with demand and surging COVID-19 cases in Michigan, Oakland County is ramping up its testing efforts starting next week.
Warren Consolidated Schools offers students free COVID tests as omicron variant spreads
Read full article: Warren Consolidated Schools offers students free COVID tests as omicron variant spreadsWhile most Metro Detroit students have already returned from Winter break, Wednesday marks the first day back for Warren Consolidated schools.
U-M: Guests age 12 and up must show proof of COVID vaccination, negative test to attend athletic events
Read full article: U-M: Guests age 12 and up must show proof of COVID vaccination, negative test to attend athletic eventsThe University of Michigan Athletic Department shares more details about its updated spectator policy as regional COVID cases surge.
University of Michigan: Influenza cases continue to outpace COVID in students on Ann Arbor campus
Read full article: University of Michigan: Influenza cases continue to outpace COVID in students on Ann Arbor campusCases of influenza have increased on campus while COVID was on the decline over the past week, U-M officials said.
Jimena Loveluck named United Way of Washtenaw County’s Woman of the Year
Read full article: Jimena Loveluck named United Way of Washtenaw County’s Woman of the YearUnited Way of Washtenaw County has named Washtenaw County Health Department Health Officer Jimena Loveluck as its 2022 Woman of the Year.
Michigan Medicine patients can now access their COVID-19 vaccination record, test results via app
Read full article: Michigan Medicine patients can now access their COVID-19 vaccination record, test results via appU-M Health patients can now access their COVID-19 vaccine and testing information on their smartphones.
University of Michigan: Employees not in compliance with vaccine policy will face work suspension, termination
Read full article: University of Michigan: Employees not in compliance with vaccine policy will face work suspension, terminationU-M will soon take action against employees who fail to comply with its vaccine mandate.
Group says it plans to sue Gov. Whitmer, Detroit schools over vaccine mandate, masking, COVID testing
Read full article: Group says it plans to sue Gov. Whitmer, Detroit schools over vaccine mandate, masking, COVID testingProtest group By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) announced that it plans to sue Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and Detroit Public Schools Community District, demanding the state to implement vaccine requirements in schools.
Washtenaw County to offer rapid COVID testing at vaccination clinic on Saturday
Read full article: Washtenaw County to offer rapid COVID testing at vaccination clinic on SaturdayThe Washtenaw County Health Department will offer rapid antigen COVID tests at its vaccination clinic the next two Saturdays.
University of Michigan: Student COVID cases remain at ‘low-level plateau’ in Ann Arbor
Read full article: University of Michigan: Student COVID cases remain at ‘low-level plateau’ in Ann ArborCOVID cases among students and staff on U-M's Ann Arbor campus remain low and stable, reported school officials.
At-home rapid COVID tests: What they are, how they work and when you should use them
Read full article: At-home rapid COVID tests: What they are, how they work and when you should use themPresident Joe Biden’s administration is making a push to get the coronavirus pandemic under control by improving vaccination levels and by creating a new provision to make at home COVID testing more accessible.
Eastern Michigan University requires weekly COVID testing for non-vaccinated students on campus
Read full article: Eastern Michigan University requires weekly COVID testing for non-vaccinated students on campusStarting Monday, unvaccinated students who attend at least one class with an on-campus component must undergo weekly COVID testing.
University of Michigan poll: 1 in 4 parents say youth sports not properly enforcing COVID-19 protocols
Read full article: University of Michigan poll: 1 in 4 parents say youth sports not properly enforcing COVID-19 protocolsMichigan Medicine's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital surveyed 1,630 parents with children ages 6-18 for the poll.
University of Michigan locks more students out of buildings for failing to complete COVID testing
Read full article: University of Michigan locks more students out of buildings for failing to complete COVID testingMore than 700 students have been locked out of school buildings in a second wave of restrictions for failing to get tested for COVID-19.
Advocacy group pushes for removal of mandatory COVID testing of Michigan student athletes
Read full article: Advocacy group pushes for removal of mandatory COVID testing of Michigan student athletesThere’s another issue popping up involving school sports -- this one involves the testing of student athletes.
Nearly 40 COVID pop-up testing sites to open across Michigan
Read full article: Nearly 40 COVID pop-up testing sites to open across MichiganHealth officials have been sounding the alarm about Spring Break for weeks now and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she’s particularly concerned about traveling to Florida.
Emergency order requires Michigan teen athletes to be regularly tested for COVID
Read full article: Emergency order requires Michigan teen athletes to be regularly tested for COVIDTwo weeks ago, the Michigan Health and Human Services issued an emergency order requiring student-athletes in contact sports to be tested regularly for COVID.
University of Michigan: ‘Noticeable uptick’ of COVID cases on Ann Arbor campus
Read full article: University of Michigan: ‘Noticeable uptick’ of COVID cases on Ann Arbor campusUniversity of Michigan asks students to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidaysANN ARBOR – Cases of COVID-19 are trending upward again at the University of Michigan. In an update on Tuesday, U-M officials reported a “noticeable uptick in COVID-19 cases among U-M affiliates, including undergraduate students, graduate students and non-students.”School officials noted that the trend is in line with a general increase of cases in Washtenaw County. Students at the university now account for 15% of the total cases in the county. The number of positive cases more than doubled last week with 157 positive tests compared to 60 the week prior. A total of 26 students are currently in isolation to prevent the spread of COVID, compared to March 24 when 8 students were in quarantine.
U-M locks hundreds of undergrads out of school buildings for not following COVID testing protocols
Read full article: U-M locks hundreds of undergrads out of school buildings for not following COVID testing protocolsFILE: Students walk across the University of Michigan campus January 17, 2003 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)ANN ARBOR – The University of Michigan has deactivated Mcard access to non-residential buildings for 375 undergraduate students after they failed to comply with the school’s mandatory COVID testing requirements. Undergraduate students who reside on or visit campus have been required to undergo weekly COVID testing through the Community Sampling and Tracking Program since the beginning of the semester. Students can also submit a request for an exemption from being included in the mandatory testing cohort. According to the team, roughly 98% of undergraduate students living in residence halls have complied with the required testing program.
U-M: COVID cases on Ann Arbor campus ‘decrease significantly’
Read full article: U-M: COVID cases on Ann Arbor campus ‘decrease significantly’University of Michigan asks students to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidaysANN ARBOR – Officials at the University of Michigan have announced a significant decrease in cases of COVID-19 on campus. In the school’s bi-weekly COVID update, officials reported on Tuesday that school-related cases now represent 27% of the total cases in Washtenaw County. Just two weeks ago, U-M cases -- the majority of which were linked to students -- accounted for 62% of the total cases in the county. AdSoon after, the school implemented mandatory weekly testing for graduate and professional students after outbreaks emerged in circles of older students and in off campus houses. Undergraduates on campus have been tested regularly for the virus since the start of the semester.
U-M: COVID cases increase, now account for more than 60% of cases in Washtenaw County
Read full article: U-M: COVID cases increase, now account for more than 60% of cases in Washtenaw CountyANN ARBOR – Although COVID activity in Michigan and across the U.S. has been trending downward, cases at the University of Michigan continue to rise. The majority of cases are associated with students, said university officials in their Tuesday COVID update, and U-M cases now make up for 62% of all cases in Washtenaw County. A rise in cases means that campus case investigators are “significantly strained.”Since Sunday, U-M has confirmed 26 new COVID cases on campus. During the week starting Feb. 7, U-M reported 352 new cases -- it’s highest weekly case rate since the week starting October 11, when new cases stood at 409. School officials continue to urge the U-M community to continue to get tested, even if no symptoms are present.
AFC Ann Arbor withdraws men’s season for second year due to pandemic
Read full article: AFC Ann Arbor withdraws men’s season for second year due to pandemicANN ARBOR – AFC Ann Arbor officials announced on Tuesday that its men’s team will not participate in this year’s USL League Two season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The club is currently consulting with the United Women’s Soccer division’s leadership to determine whether or not the women’s team will compete this year. “From the beginning of the pandemic, we have been precautious about our return to play and have followed the guidance and advice of our state’s top medical expert, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun,” Bilal Saeed, Chair of AFC Ann Arbor said in a statement. “Under these guidelines and current state restrictions, we cannot in good conscience bring players in for a league season,” the club said in a statement. “We understand AFC Ann Arbor’s decision to withdraw from participation in the 2021 League Two season,” USL Vice President Joel Nash said in a statement.
U-M COVID cases now make up for 48% of all cases in Washtenaw County
Read full article: U-M COVID cases now make up for 48% of all cases in Washtenaw CountyUniversity of Michigan asked students to test for COVID-19 before going home for the holidays. ANN ARBOR – In its bi-weekly COVID update on Tuesday, University of Michigan officials announced that COVID cases within the school community now represent 48% of the total cases in Washtenaw County. On Feb. 2, U-M cases accounted for 34% of all COVID cases in Washtenaw County. While COVID cases in the school community are trending downward, they are still elevated, according the announcement. As of the week beginning Feb. 7, U-M reported a total of 54 positive COVID cases as opposed to the week prior, when 282 positive cases were confirmed.
Free COVID testing returns to Ann Arbor’s Pioneer High School on Saturday
Read full article: Free COVID testing returns to Ann Arbor’s Pioneer High School on Saturday(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)ANN ARBOR – No cost COVID testing will return to Pioneer High School on Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. According to the Washtenaw County Health Department, the free pop-up site in the school’s parking lot will be offering weekly testing. All positive tests will be sequenced for the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant, which is known to be present in Washtenaw County. The event is supported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Washtenaw County Health Department, HONU Management Group and Ann Arbor Public Schools. For more information about free testing events in Washtenaw County, click here.
Michigan health department launches program offering weekly COVID testing to educators
Read full article: Michigan health department launches program offering weekly COVID testing to educatorsLANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said it is moving forward with offering a voluntary COVID-19 testing program to educators. Officials said the MI Safe Schools Testing Program, which began Tuesday, will provide weekly tests for educators at private and public schools. Approximately 300 schools and 9,000 staff members have signed up for testing so far. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for schools to resume in-person learning by March 1. Everyone has a role to play in ending this pandemic.”The state paused high school in-person learning in November.
U-M to begin offering free COVID testing to Ann Arbor residents living near campus
Read full article: U-M to begin offering free COVID testing to Ann Arbor residents living near campusUniversity officials have confirmed that some outbreaks of the virus on campus include the new, highly contagious COVID-19 B.1.1.7 variant. Testing offered to the local community is limited to those living within three blocks from campus. If you do not live right next to campus but would like to be tested, visit Washtenaw County’s COVID testing website to find a free clinic near you. AdAdditionally, free testing is now offered weekly at Pioneer High School. The university-run saliva-based testing will be offered to U-M students, faculty, staff and Ann Arbor residents living geographically close to the university on the following days and times:Information on U-M's community testing program from Feb. 3-28, 2021.
No cost COVID testing to take place in Ann Arbor Sunday
Read full article: No cost COVID testing to take place in Ann Arbor SundayANN ARBOR, Mich. – On Sunday, community members can be tested for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 for free at Pioneer High School. Testing will be done from noon to 4 p.m. through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at a drive-thru testing site. More: See how the PCR test works here. Those going to the drive-thru should enter the Pioneer parking lot from Main Street and should not line up before the event starts. The testing site is supported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, HONU Management Group, Ann Arbor Public Schools and Washtenaw County Health Department.
Ann Arbor Public Schools: Preparations underway for return to in-person learning
Read full article: Ann Arbor Public Schools: Preparations underway for return to in-person learningANN ARBOR – In her most recent message to the Ann Arbor Public Schools community, Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Kerr Swift announced on Friday that the school district is focused on returning to in-person learning as soon as possible. However, she said that reopening the schools is dependent on several key factors in order to return safely. Swift said AAPS has also acquired enough PPE for its staff to use once in-person learning begins. According to the announcement, the youngest students and students with the greatest needs will be the first to return to school. “As a result of their work, there is promise in this rapidly emerging testing process.”AAPS has not yet named a date for the return of in-person learning.
U-M Winter Term changes include mandatory weekly COVID testing of on-campus undergrads
Read full article: U-M Winter Term changes include mandatory weekly COVID testing of on-campus undergradsThe revised plan includes increased COVID-19 testing capacity, including mandatory testing for all students prior moving into university residence halls and mandatory weekly testing for undergraduate students who live, study or work on campus. The expanded testing plan includes weekly asymptomatic testing for the remaining students, faculty and staff on campus. For those quarantining off campus, testing will be expanded, and departure testing will still be required for undergraduates returning home, as was the case for the Thanksgiving holiday. While mandatory for undergraduates, departure testing is recommended for all other students. In addition to a reduction of in-person classes, density in U-M residence halls will be reduced by more than half.
New COVID testing site in Ann Arbor to provide saliva testing
Read full article: New COVID testing site in Ann Arbor to provide saliva testingANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering contactless drive-thru COVID-19 saliva testing. Testing is at the parking lot of the 2|42 Community Church, 648 S. Wagner Road in Ann Arbor. The county has partnered with LynxDx to offer the test from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 3-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Our COVID-19 Data section tracks many of the key data points health officials are watching closely every single day. Track key COVID-19 data points in Michigan:
FDA authorizes rapid at-home COVID-19 test
Read full article: FDA authorizes rapid at-home COVID-19 testWhen it comes to COVID testing, we’ve been hearing about growing lines and delayed results. But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new emergency use authorization for an at-home test. The new test by California-based Lucira is a nasal swab test that can provide a result within 30 minutes and is for use by anyone ages 14 and older if their healthcare provider thinks they may have COVID-19. The nasal swab test involves swirling a patient’s self-collected sample swab in a vial, which is then placed in the test unit. The FDA did not talk about the price of the test but the company’s website indicated that the test is intended to cost less than $50.
University of Michigan students asked to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidays
Read full article: University of Michigan students asked to test for COVID-19 before going home for holidaysAt the University of Michigan, students living on campus are being required to take a COVID-19 test before leaving campus. University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald says students are being asked to get tested within the seven days before going home to their families. Both Washtenaw and Ingham counties have had to issue and adjust emergency health orders in an effort to contain outbreaks at U-M’s and Michigan State University’s campuses. The state has reported record-breaking daily increases of COVID-19 cases multiple times in recent weeks. The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan has risen to 229,285 as of Wednesday, including 7,766 deaths, state officials report.