Families may have to make some difficult choices this Thanksgiving due to the rise in COVID-19 cases around the country as winter approaches. | Pixabay
Families may have to make some difficult choices this Thanksgiving due to the rise in COVID-19 cases around the country as winter approaches. | Pixabay
Officials at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced on Nov. 15 they will limit Thanksgiving gatherings to two households and no more than ten people to combat a COVID-19 spike that is surging in the state.
Violators will be reported, a report in Michigan Capitol Confidential said.
“If MDHHS receives an allegation of a violation of the department’s order, the department will refer the matter to the local health department or law enforcement,” said Lynn Sutfin, spokeswoman for the MDHHS, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential. “The first remediation method is to discuss the situation with the person responsible for the violation and attempt to resolve the situation without issuing a citation. The local health department or MDHHS -- as a referral from the Michigan State Police -- may issue an administrative citation for violating the department’s order. The department hopes that residents will do the right thing and follow these orders to save lives and protect their family, friends and community from further spread of COVID-19.”
On Nov. 19 Michigan health officials reported the single largest number of COVID-19-related deaths in one day at 73, which is the highest since May, when there was a single-day death toll of 86 in the state, according to Bridge Michigan.
The current spike follows a quieter period in the state during July, August and September when the daily count was in the single digits or there were no deaths at all.
According to a report in Bridge Michigan, cases began to surge again particularly among younger adults and college students. Health officials expressed the concern that younger people not showing symptoms often brought the virus home to their parents or grandparents, who are more vulnerable.
The total number of deaths in Michigan stands at 8,324, with over 285,000 residents infected overall, according to Michigan.gov.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer moved last week to close schools, in-person dining, casinos, movie theaters and other businesses in the wake of the new surge in cases.
Alerts Sign-up