cbleck@miningjournal.net
MARQUETTE Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday announced what is probably welcome news to many people: increased capacity limits in restaurants and expanded opportunities to visit residential care facilities.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services updated two of its epidemic orders to allow for increased capacity limits at various venues, larger residential and nonresidential gatherings, and expanded visitation opportunities at residential care facilities.
“Restaurants and bars can operate at 50% capacity,” Whitmer said at a media conference. “That’s up from 25%. I’m also pleased that we can now allow visitation at nursing homes, too.
“We know that this virus has taken a disproportionate toll on our seniors, and the isolation and the time apart has been taxing on everyone with loved ones and long-term care facilities.”
Nearly a thousand health care workers in Ingham County are getting Pfizer s COVID-19 vaccine every week.
Health Officer Linda Vail says so far, the state has provided her department with 975 doses of vaccine a week. They’re getting an extra dose out of some vials.
She says the staff and the schedule would allow for more. “We did ask for the double, 1,950 doses this week, and didn’t get it, Vail adds, but we will be asking again, and I’ve also made a few phone calls.”
Vail says the department is vaccinating 350 or more people per day, and could double or triple that if they had enough vaccine.