9 & 10 News
May 10, 2021
As the State of Michigan reaches the 55% first-dose vaccination milestone, Leelanau County has reached the first dose 70% mark.
The Benzie-Leelanau Health Department says as they strive to get everyone their second shot, they are moving away from large vaccine clinics. They say they are going for smaller pop-up clinics like the one held last Friday at Farm Club.
The Health Department says this change was made because they’d begun to see a drop off in demand for the vaccine, as all of the eager people have already gotten their shots.
“Now, to the rest of the population that maybe doesn’t find it as convenient to do that or maybe they’re not as motivated to do that. So we’re taking the vaccine out to where the people are, or they gather, and where we might just run into people who are maybe on the fence, maybe need some questions answered, or maybe just don’t have the time or the inclination to schedule an appointment and go get vaccinated them
9 & 10 News
May 4, 2021
COVID numbers in northern Michigan are continuing to improve –that’s according to Munson Healthcare.
The hospital system says numbers are trending in the right direction. Case counts and hospitalizations are down again this week. Dr. Christine Nefcy is the Munson Healthcare Chief Medical Officer. She says, “We are doing much better than we had been the last few weeks… we’re happy to be heading in that right direction.”
Meanwhile local health departments say they’re taking vaccine clinics on the road – spreading out to more satellite locations, like township halls, businesses, even local festivals. District Health Department #10 Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Morse says, “We’re happy to partner with any area festivals, or area events, or after church. Anything really where people might want to have vaccinations offered.” She adds, “We are ready to travel to wherever people are ready to get vaccinated.”
9 & 10 News
May 3, 2021
Michigan hit a major milestone over the weekend. Half of Michiganders, over the age of 16, have gotten at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Northern Michigan specifically leads the way with nearly 55% of residents receiving at least their first dose.
“Highly motivated people, that were really motivated to get immunized, we have been able to provide access and provide immunizations to all those people,” said Joshua Meyerson, medical director of Benzie-Leelanau Health Department, Northwest Michigan Health Department and District Health Department #4.
The numbers are a bit striking, half the state has at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine but when broken into regions by Michigan …Department of Health and Human Services, it is apparent Northern Michigan is well above the state average. Region 7 leads the way also with more than 41% fully vaccinated.
Michigan’s pubs gear up for a different St. Patrick’s Day as health officials remind people to celebrate safely
Updated Mar 17, 2021;
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Kelly s Downtown Irish Pub & Restaurant one of many restaurants preparing for St. Patrick s Day during COVID-19 pandemic
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For Kilkenny’s Irish Public House, St. Patrick’s Day is typically a packed party with live music, but this year will be different.
“Since COVID, it’s not going to be even a shade of what it traditionally is,” General Manager Mike Lloyd said. “It’s actually pretty depressing.”
This is the second year Kilkenny’s, located in Traverse City, will lose out on what Lloyd said is the pub’s best time for business. Last year, Michigan restaurants and bars experienced their first shut down the day before St. Patrick’s Day as coronavirus hit the state.